Just three wolves are remaining in Michigan’s Isle Royale National Park, finds a new research. The last remaining pack comprises two adults and a nine-month-old pup.

As per researchers, recovery in the wolf population on the island might not happen naturally. Already, it has been reported that the pup does not appear to be healthy. It has a deformed tail and hunched posture along with other abnormalities. All these problems mean that the pup could die within a year.

John Vucetich, associate professor of wildlife ecology at Michigan Technological University, said they came to know about the wolves’ condition while carrying out an annual study of the park’s animals.

Since 2009, the wolves’ population is on decline and in six years, it has declined from 24 to just three. One of the main reasons considered for the decline in inbreeding among the pack. The researchers said that pups from inbreeding face lower rate of survival.

Therefore, it is considered that the recovery of the population is impossible without introducing the new genetic material in the group. The remaining two adults are resident mating pair, which means that they will not be interested in mating with outside wolves when given chance.

Conditions are harsh, but the researchers said that it does not mean that the population cannot recover naturally. It has been said so, as there are chances that other wolves can enter the park. But then also, repopulation would require resident adults to be interested in mating with other wolves.

Other reason considered for the decline in the wolves condition is human activity. Hunting has brought a severe decline in the population in the western part of the country.