hrvatski

CONDITIONS FOR LIFE OF WOLVES (Canis lupus L.) IN CROATIA

Doctoral Thesis CONDITIONS FOR LIFE OF WOLVES (Canis lupus L.) IN CROATIA Josip Kusak Biology Department, Veterinary Faculty University of Zagreb Abstract: Wolf population in Croatia, which was permanently present on 17468 km2 (Gorski kotar, Lika and Dalmatia), during the period 1996 - 2000. numbered 120 to 170 individuals. In Gorski kotar and Lika wild ungulates comprised 77.8% of wolf prey, while in Dalmatia their share was only 13.3%. This is the consequence of improper way of livestock husbandry, and of insufficient number of natural prey in Dalmatia, resulting with frequent wolf attacks on livestock. Telemetry radio tracking revealed that the average size of wolf pack territory in Dalmatia was 150 km2. Wolves in Dalmatia were significantly more active during night than during the day (53%:35%). Radio tracked wolves were found most often on northern slopes (Pepa 62.3% of locations) or in walleyes (Anja, 46.1% of locations), and stayed significantly closer to water sources (average=683 m), and farther from houses (average=921.5 m), compared with random sample. Mortality of 86 wolves was documented in the period form 1986. to 2000. where 96.5 % was human caused (91.6% shooting, 8.4% traffic). The average age of death wolves was 1.9 years. In Panonian macro region wolves could inhabit area of Žumberak, Banovina, and forested hills of Posavina and Slavonia. Region of mountainous Croatia, thanks to favorable habitat conditions, was and still is core area where wolves were always present, and with improved conditions have spread to neighboring areas. Mediterranean region currently was an area with the least favorable conditions for wolves. Natural prey was sparse, while offering livestock as easily accessible alternative prey resulting in highest (96.6%) portion of damages. Thesis deposited in National and University Library Key words: Canis lupus / wolf / distribution / mortality / habitat / movements / activity /damages / Croatia Supervisor: Prof dr. sc. &ETH ; uro Huber Reviewers: Prof dr. sc. Milorad Mrakov&egrave ; i&aelig ; , prof. dr. sc. &ETH ; uro Huber, dr. sc. Nikola Tvrtkovi&aelig ; Thesis accepted: 17. 04. 2002.

vuk; Canis lupus; areal; smrtnost; stanišre; štete; Hrvatska

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