Re-evaluation of the wolf population management units in central Europe

Abstract

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Identification of Differences in Hunting Management in Poland and Selected European Countries in the Context of Sustainable Development

“…As the productive capacity of the area may increase as a result of both hunting and other wildlife control, it may be acceptable over time to gradually increase the amount of game harvested. This indicates that the concept of management in hunting should be based on active management, which has been postulated in numerous publications by Okarma [7,[17][18][19].…”

“…In 1975, when restrictions related to hunting wolves were introduced, the estimated number of this species in Poland was 100 individuals distributed in the north-eastern and southeastern regions of the country. As a result of protective measures, by 2018, the number of wolves on the western side of the Vistula increased to about 800-1000 individuals, and the IUCN changed its status from CE (critically endangered) to VU (vulnerable) [7]. According to the official data presented by the Chief Inspectorate for Environmental Protection, the size of the wolf population varies considerably across the country.…”

“…The work of Gula et al [7] indicated that in order to manage the wolf population actively, it is necessary to have up-to-date information, particularly, in terms of the wolf population structure, range, habitats used, and the species' demographic history. Furthermore, it is also important to systematically follow the process of recolonising the species in the areas covered by management, and in justified cases, to reduce the population size.…”

“…Hunting management has been defined as a deliberate process, invariably adapted to the dynamically changing situation and has been systematically improved. The dynamically changing situation of game animals in various European countries including Poland has prompted the promotion of the concept of active management in hunting, which may constitute the basis for social acceptance and long-term, effective protection of wild animals, as pointed out by Gula et al [7].…”

Genetic support for the current discrete conservation unit of the Central European wolf population

“…Historical wolf occurrence data for western Poland (reviewed by Nowak and Mysłajek 2017) contradict Gula et al's (2020) statements that this species was permanently present and regularly reproducing in western Poland since 1971, and that the recovery of wolves in this area began in the early 1980s. In our opinion Gula et al (2020) should clearly differentiate between permanent and sporadic wolf occurrence following established standards (Chapron et al 2014). Chapron et al (2014) treated cells of reference grid maps of the European Environmental Agency as permanently occupied by wolves if they were occupied by the species at least 50% of the time over three years or more and/or where there was either confirmed reproduction or the presence of resident adult females.…”