Nov. 16, 2012 The number of wolves at Isle Royale National Park
has dipped to nine -- the lowest seen since Michigan
Technological University's wolf-moose predator-prey study began
54 years ago. What should be done if this furry icon of
wilderness culture dies out altogether? Michigan Tech
researchers John Vucetich and Rolf Peterson and Michigan State
University environmental ethicist Michael Nelson are willing to
tackle this controversial subject. The issue is a prickly one
because there is conflict among environmentalists and ethicists
about how we should -- or should not -- relate to nature and the
environment. Some say, "let nature take its course." Others
believe humans should work to maintain ecosystem health, and
that may on some occasions require intervention. "The
appropriate approach is to acknowledge and understand all the
values at stake, and then develop a perspective or position that
would least infringe upon that set of values," say Vucetich,
Peterson and Nelson. There are three possible kinds