The Wolves and Moose of Isle Royale
#1 of 22 in Scientists in the Field Series
on Goodreads (101)
What’s inside...
In this exhilarating installment of the award-winning Scientists in the Field series, journey to the isolated islands of Isle Royale National Park where the longest predator/prey study in the world is being conducted along with a controversial genetic rescue to save not only the wolves and moose, but the entire island ecosystem. On Isle Royale, a unique national park more than fifty miles from the Michigan shore and about fifteen miles from Minnesota, a thrilling drama is unfolding between wolves and moose, the island’s ultimate predator and prey. For over sixty years, in what has been known as the longest study of predator and prey in the world, scientists have studied the wolves and moose of Isle Royale and the island’s ecology to observe and investigate wildlife populations. But due to illness and underlying factors, the population of wolves on the island has dropped while the number of moose has increased, putting the Isle Royale ecosystem in jeopardy. Now, for the first time ever, scientists are intervening. Join celebrated author Nancy Castaldo in this exciting journey to Isle Royale to document the genetic rescue experiment scientists there are embarking on. If they can successfully relocate twenty to thirty wolves from the mainland to Isle Royale, scientists can potentially restore the balance among wolves, moose, and trees of the island's ecosystem. Now the living laboratory experiment begins.
Character compass
Rolf O. Peterson
John A. Vucetich
Discussion points
What do you think life is like for the wolves and moose on Isle Royale?
Why is the balance between predator and prey important in nature?
How do the wolves affect the moose population, and vice versa?
What would happen if there were no wolves left on Isle Royale?
How can we help protect natural habitats like Isle Royale?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by asking your child what they know about wolves and moose before reading the book to gauge their prior knowledge.
Encourage your child to imagine themselves in the setting of Isle Royale. Ask them to describe what they see, hear, and feel.
While discussing the book, link the ecological concepts to real-life examples that are familiar to your child to help them grasp the importance of balance in nature.
Ask your child how they feel about the relationship between the wolves and the moose and explore the emotional aspects of nature’s interactions together.
After reading, consider watching a documentary or visiting a local nature preserve to observe similar ecological interactions in real-time, providing a practical application of the book's themes.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Interdependence in nature
Explanation: The book details the complex relationship between wolves and moose on Isle Royale, showing how each species impacts the survival and health of the other.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of every species and can apply this understanding to recognizing how their actions affect others around them, fostering a sense of responsibility towards nature and their community.
Example Lesson: Scientific observation and research
Explanation: The story discusses the ongoing scientific study of the wolf and moose populations, highlighting how researchers gather data and track changes over time.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to appreciate science and its real-world applications, potentially sparking an interest in scientific exploration and observation in their own surroundings.
Example Lesson: Adaptation and survival
Explanation: The book explains how wolves and moose adapt to their environments and challenges, which is crucial for their survival on Isle Royale.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the significance of adaptability in overcoming challenges, applying this understanding to personal obstacles such as moving to a new school or facing difficult tasks.
Example Lesson: Ecosystem balance
Explanation: Through the predator-prey dynamics showcased, children learn how the balance of an ecosystem is crucial for the health of its inhabitants.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children understand the importance of balance in their own lives, such as balancing study and play, and can extend to understanding community and environmental health.
Example Lesson: Conservation and ethical responsibilities
Explanation: The narrative addresses the human impact on Isle Royale’s ecosystem and discusses conservation efforts to manage and protect it.
Real-World Application: It teaches children about the ethical responsibility humans have toward managing and preserving natural environments, encouraging them to be mindful of their impact on the world and advocate for sustainable practices.