engleski

Causes of wolf mortality in Croatia during 1986-2001

We recorded a total of 92 dead grey wolves (Canis lupus) in Croatia during 1986-2001: 60 (65.2%) were shot, 18 (19.6%) died in traffic accidents, the causes of death of 6 (6.5%) wolves remained unknown, 5 (5.4%) had rabies, and one each was killed by axe, by hay-fork, and by other wolves. Among dead wolves the share of females was 56%, the mean age was 1.9 years, and the mean mass of adult wolves was 31.4 kg. We analyzed separately the last 10 years (1986-1995) before, and in the first 6 years (1996-2001) after the legal protection of the species (15 May 1995), when 30 and 62 wolves died, respectively. The yearly mortality grew from 3.0 before protection to 10.3 after protection (3.4 times). This increase in mortality indicates no enforcement of legal protection, as well as the increase of the animosity of local people. It was also partly influenced by a wolf population growth and seems that the recorded mortality is sustainable. We propose to adapt the legislation to allow controlled hunting of wolves. That will likely lead to decreased animosity and will keep the wolf population safe of uncontrolled hunting.

grey wolf; Canis lupus; mortality; Croatia

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