Wolf number changes in Bieszczady National Park, Poland

Abstract

From 1991 to 1995, wolf Canis lupus (Linnaeus, 1758) population dynamics were studied in Bieszczady National Park and the surrounding area (520 km 2 ). The study area was utilized by 5 packs. Pack sizes averaged 5.6 in early and 3.9 in late winter. Overwinter declines in wolf numbers ranged from 21% to 39% (x = 29%), which corresponded well to the known number of wolves killed by hunters or dead of other causes. After every winter decline, wolf numbers recovered through reproduction. Generally, wolf numbers were stable or slightly decreasing during the study. Three neighbouring wolf packs occupied an area of 340 km 2 and the estimated territory size averaged 85 km'. The estimated density of wolves averaged 5.1/100 km 2 in early winter and 3.3/100 km 2 in late winter. Of all known causes of wolf mortality, 86% were from legal hunting, 5% were from poaching, and 9% were from natural causes. Bieszczady National Park is small in size and its topography influences the spatial distribution of packs. No single pack was fully contained within, or protected by the Park. The number of wolves is overestimated in official reports, because the same packs are likely counted as different groups in neighbouring census units. On hunting grounds adjacent to Bieszczady NP, harvest plans exceed the actual number of wolves which inhabit the area. The creation of a wolf protection zone around Bieszczady NP and some regulations for wolf management in the rest of the region are proposed.

Mycobacterium caprae transmission to free-living grey wolves (Canis lupus) in the Bieszczady Mountains in Southern Poland

“…As it follows from the literature, if strains differ in repetitive units from one locus, it may indicate a very close phylogenetic relationship (Savine et al 2002;Alonso-Rodríguez et al 2008). The strains obtained from two wild boars in Ruskie village (Lutowiska Commune) had a spoligotype 200003777377600 (Orłowska (Śmietana and Wajda 1997;Jędrzejewski et al 2012). No attacks on European bison have been observed, although feeding on bison's carcasses was reported (Śmietana and Wajda 1997).…”

“…The strains obtained from two wild boars in Ruskie village (Lutowiska Commune) had a spoligotype 200003777377600 (Orłowska (Śmietana and Wajda 1997;Jędrzejewski et al 2012). No attacks on European bison have been observed, although feeding on bison's carcasses was reported (Śmietana and Wajda 1997). Livestock is rarely attacked (mainly sheep).…”

“…For grey wolves inhabiting the Bieszczady Mountains, the major dietary components are red deer (Cervus elaphus) (over 70% of consumed biomass), European roe deer (Caporeolus capreolus) (5-10% of consumed biomass), and wild boar (Sus scrofa) (2-10% of consumed biomass). Domestic animals are attacked very rarely (over 80% of attacks concern sheep) (Śmietana and Wajda 1997;Gula 2008;Jędrzejewski et al 2012). …”

Two models for assessing the prey mass of European ungulates from wolf scats

“…Recently, studies on feeding ecology of free-living wolves Canis lupus Linnaeus, 1758 have been carried out in numerous European countries (eg Jêdrzejewski et al 1992, 2000, 2002, Ionescu 1993, Vila et al 1994, Okarma 1995, Mattioli et al 1995, Ciucci et al 1996, Olsson et al 1997, OEmietana and Wajda 1997, Andersone 1998, Jêdrzejewska and Jêdrzejewski 1998, Kluth 1998, Poulle et al 1998, Gade-Jørgensen and Stagegaard 2000, Vos 2000. One procedure often applied up to the 1990s in calculating the consumed biomass from the carnivore excrements (eg Lockie 1959, Goszczyñski 1974, Reig and Jêdrzejewski 1988, Jêdrzejewski et al 1992) required knowledge of the digestibility (Lehmann 1890) of the respective prey.…”

Friends for Life

“…Populations that are not fully contained in no-hunting protected areas, but extend into hunting areas, may be vulnerable to overharvest. For example, none of the wolf packs that utilize Bieszczady National Park in Poland are confined to the park boundaries, a factor which must be included in management plans to prevent overharvest (Smietana and Wajda, 1997). In the Serengeti, harvest of male lions outside protected areas attracts males from the park and distorts sex ratios within the protected area (Sinclair, 1995).…”