engleski

Tracking a wolf pack in livestock dominated habitat of Dalmatia, southern Croatia

We studied a pack home range; it's seasonal variations, movements and activity rhythm of gray wolf (Canis lupus) in Dalmatia, the southern part of their range in Croatia. Radiotelemetry tracking was a part of the study for collecting baseline data to support management decisions for wolves in this area. Study area holds the highest density of sheep in the whole Croatia, and of wild ungulates only wild boars are present. First wolf in Croatia (W1, female, 0.5 years, 17 kg, Opor pack) was radiocollared on 30 October 1998, and her movements were monitored through September 1999. Second wolf, belonging to neighboring pack (W2, female, 3-4 years, 25 kg, Vučevica pack) was radiomarked on 23 August 1999, and initial locations were taken during first month of tracking. Attempts were made (visual observations, howling, interviews of hunters) to estimate minimal number of wolves in packs, and their mortality. A minimum of three existing wolves and mortality of three other wolves of unknown ages and of one pup were documented for Opor pack in winter-spring period. Vučevica pack had at least three adults and 4-5 pups in August 1999. A total of 166 relocations of W1, resulted in 151 km2 (MCP, 100% of locations) home range. Home ranges for seasons autumn-winter (October - April), and spring-summer (May – September) were 92 km2 (96 locations), and 75 km2 (70 locations), respectively. Core areas comprising 50% of locations, calculated by Kernel method, for autumn-winter and spring-summer were 9 km2, and 14 km2, respectively. Core areas were situated on northern slopes, in dense Mediterranean oak-hornbeam forests, more than 1 km away from the settlements, and less than 1 km from a water source. Home-range sizes were similar to those found in other south European wolf populations, and also similar to ranges of wolves, which live in habitats where red deer is the main prey. A total of 1115 activity readings were taken over 10 months, in all hours of the day. The wolf was determined to be active at 475 (43%), and passive at 640 (57%) occasions. Higher activity was found at night, 72% of all readings between 18:00 and 06:00. She usually spent a day resting in thick wood on the northern hillside and started roaming the area after dusk, but also day travels were documented. Predatory attacks on sheep have been observed during the day as well. In conclusion the wolves adapted their behavior to the optimum for the proximity and danger of people and use of livestock prey, however, with the considerable mortality of pack members.

wolf; Croatia; radiotracking

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