The role of wolf predation in limiting a moose population [Alces alces, Canis lupus, Ontario]

Moose (Alces alces) and gray wolf (Canis lupus) populations in Pukaskwa National Park, Ontario, were surveyed annually from 1975 to 1979. Annual population estimates were: 587, 679, 659, 460, and 387 moose and 28, 29, 22, 19, and 14 wolves. Wolf predation appeared to be limiting the increase of the Pukaskwa moose population. A model is presented to explain differences in the density of moose between areas based on the availability of escape habitats and the requisite space to increase the searching time for predators, and the escape tactics of moose, so that$m_{x}=q_{x}$.