One of Isle Royale National Park’s most famous attractions is one that visitors rarely see: wolves. Bryan had the opportunity to speak with Park Ranger Mark Romanski, Division Chief of Natural Resources, about the park’s most elusive resident.

Discussion includes the following:

0:02 - Past episodes listening suggestions: Ken Burns interview, Biscayne National Park, Crater Lake National Park, Everglades National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Olympic National Park, Saguaro National Park, Shenandoah National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park, Zion National Park

1:04 - Mark Romanski, Division Chief, Natural Resources, Isle Royale National Park

1:56 - When and how wolves made their way to Isle Royale

2:54 - Population Programs: From a 1948 collaboration with Detroit Zoo through today

3:55 - Shifting policies, shifting populations of an island ecosystem

6:00 - The big bear question (and answer), “Why are there no bears on Isle Royale?”

6:53 - Collecting data on Isle Royale’s current wolf population with Michigan Technological University

8:16 - Caucusing: The winter study with Dr. Rolf Peterson and John Vucetich

11:02 - Modern tech, modern tracking

11:25 - Wolves: Social lives and relationship structures

13:53 - Wolves: Hunting and adaptability

17:01 - Collecting data, part II

18:22 - Moose: Not the easiest kill

19:32 - Slim chances of seeing (or hearing) Isle Royale’s most elusive residents

23:47 - Wolf calls

25:21 - Beauty beyond the wolf

26:27 - Femur finds

27:20 - Wolf observation plans for 2020

28:18 - Ranger Mark shares his favorite wolf-related Isle Royale story

For complete show notes and archive, visit everybodysnationalparks.com.

We have covered parks including: Biscayne, Crater Lake, Everglades, Grand Canyon, Great Smoky Mountains, Olympic, Rock Creek, Saguaro, Shenandoah, Virgin Islands, Yellowstone, Yosemite and Zion.

We also have special conversations with a diverse group of national park champions.

Actions:

Subscribe to our podcast from our website https://www.everybodysnationalparks.com/

Tell your friends about Everybody’s National Parks

Send us your national park stories, recommendations, comments, or questions to Hello at everybodysnps.com.

Support us on Patreon

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook

Please tag us from the parks you are visiting at #everybodysnationalparks