Naslov
Wolf research complementing wolf management in Croatia

Autori
Kusak, Josip ; Funk, Stephan ; Huber, Đuro ; Kocijan, Ivna

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, znanstveni

Izvornik
Frontiers of Wolf Recovery: Southwestern United States and the World / - , 2005, 45-45

Skup
The fourth International Wolf Center conference, Frontiers of Wolf Recovery

Mjesto i datum
Colorado Springs (CO), Sjedinjene Američke Države, 01.10.2005. - 04.10.2005

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
Gray wolf; Canis lupus; Radio-tracking; GPS; Noninvasive sampling; Feces; DNA; microsatellites

Sažetak
Six different gray wolves (Canis lupus) belonging to two wolf packs were radio-tracked in the northwestern part of the wolf range in Croatia. The study area (600 km2) is 70% covered by mixed forest (beech and fir) and supports three species of wild ungulates (roe deer, red deer, wild boar), while livestock husbandry is of minor importance. A total of 435 ground relocations, 196 GPS relocations and 2, 762 activity readings were recorded in the period from 21 June 2002 to 05 March 2005. According to the analysis of polymorphic molecular markers on DNA (microsatelites) from feces samples combined with snow tracking, the minimal number of wolves in packs varied from 2 to 6. Two of the collared wolves were shot by poachers, one was killed by other wolves, one died of disease, and two are still tracked. Home ranges (MCP 100% of locations) of two neighboring packs were 77 km2 and 140 km2, respectively. One dispersing female roamed 940 km2 during 2.5 months of tracking with a GPS collar. Wolves were found to be active 46% of the time, and the activity was evenly distributed during all 24 hours of a day. Home ranges of wolf packs in Gorski kotar were even smaller than those in Dalmatia in southern Croatia (150 km2), where wolves feed mostly on human food sources (livestock and garbage). This indicates the better habitat potential of the Gorski kotar area. The knowledge we acquired about pack ranges and numbers, mortality causes and genetic markers helped design the wolf management plan for Croatia.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Biologija

POVEZANOST RADA