Isle Royale moose population allegedly linked to CO2 levels; we know this because (cough-mumble)

Isle Royale down to 2 female wolves; extinction possible | Duluth News Tribune | Duluth, Minnesota

...Winter ticks, which posed a severe threat to the Isle Royale moose in 2007, have declined significantly since then.

Researchers say moose appear to have hit bottom at 385 in 2007, though their numbers remain less than half their historic, long-term average. Scientists speculate that warmer weather has spurred parasites and other problems for the moose.

“We’ve been thinking they are about to pull out of their really low period. And the habitat has rebounded, with lower moose numbers, so there’s lots of food for them to eat,” Vucetich said. “If they don’t come back stronger fairly soon, then the impact (from climate change) may be bigger than we had previously thought.”

Moose came to the island around 1900, peaking at 2,445 in 1995.