On Pleasant Island, Alaska, wolves are feasting on sea otters. What that means for the ecosystem is unclear. (via hakaimagazine)
Gretchen Roffler recalls looking out on the waterfront in Alaska’s Katmai National Park and Preserve as three wolves came into view, then disappeared behind some rocks. When the predators returned, all three were gripping the same limp sea otter between their jaws. Working together, the wolves tore the otter to pieces. “It was like a tug of war,” says Roffler, a wildlife biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
Scientists tend to think that a wolf population’s size is dictated by the availability of ungulate prey like deer and moose. But on the Alaska coast, scientists like Roffler aremunching on marine mammals. In fact, on Pleasant Island, near Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Roffler and her colleagues’ analysis of wolf scat has shown that the local wolves have almost entirely switched their diet from deer to sea otters.
Their research shows that sea otters first recolonized the area around Pleasant Island in the early 2000s, while wolves landed on the island in 2013. The deer population crashed in 2015, and by 2016 the wolves were mostly eating sea otters.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
PM Update: Rather pleasant Saturday, with a chance of showers SundayAfter a seasonable night, daytime temperatures should make the 50s both days this weekend.
Read more »
Letters: Care at Pasqua Hospital emergency unit a pleasant surprise'The front line staff at the Pasqua Hospital are doing an amazing job of serving those who require their services,' writes AnneMarie Demyen. opinion saskatchewan
Read more »
Westbound Loop 303 closed between I-17 and Lake Pleasant Parkway Jan. 28-29
Read more »
Weather Authority: Sunny Saturday brings temperatures back to the 50s ahead of Eagles gameThis weekend is starting off on a good note with sunny skies and pleasant temperatures!
Read more »
Lakeway man arrested in Alaska on child pornography chargesA Lakeway man was sentenced Thursday to 15 years in prison with an additional 15 years of supervised release for producing child pornography.
Read more »