The controversy over whether wolves (Canis lupus) can regulate ungulate numbers is difficult to assess, owing to data limitations, relaxation of predator control, and the fact that current predator – prey theory was developed from the study of invertebrate populations. A ratio-dependent predator – prey model appears to be supported by data on predation on ungulates, and the data indicate that wolves have a significant impact on numbers of moose (Alces alces), and thus can exert a regulatory effect on that species.
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L. L. Eberhardt (1997) studied this question.