ScienceDaily (Oct. 23, 2009) — A Spanish
researcher has analysed the preferences of wolves from the north east
of the Iberian Peninsula to demonstrate that, in reality, their
favourite prey are roe deer, deer and wild boar, ahead of domestic
ruminants (sheep, goats, cows and horses).
Wolves (
Canis lupus) have been pursued by humans for centuries
due to their supposed "addiction" to livestock. However, the study by
Isabel Barja, sole author and researcher at the Universidad Autónoma de
Madrid [Autonomous University of Madrid], demonstrates that in the
Macizo Central Orensano [mountain range in the Ourense region]
(Galicia) wolves prefer wild hoofed animals to livestock in spite of
the latter being available in the study area.
The researcher, who identified the food type of wolves through their
faeces, emphasises that "in 87.1% of cases the carcasses of wild hoofed
animals appeared, while domestic animals were only found in 11.3%, and,
to a lesser extent, the remains of carnivorous animals, such as
badgers, dogs, cats and rabbits were found."
The study, which has recently been published in Wildlife Biology,
reflects how roe deer are the main prey, consumed during all seasons of
the year and particularly during the summer (52%) and spring (26.2%).
Analysis of 593 wolf excrement samples, collected between May 1998 and
October 2002, revealed that 62.8% of prey was roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), 12.6% deer (Cervus elaphus) and 10% wild boar (Sus scrofa). The consumption of domestic sheep and goats only represented 7.7% and 2.9%, respectively.
The fact that livestock remains are present in excrement samples of
wolves is justified by their scavenging activity in the studied area.
"Furthermore, while the study was being conducted, no attacks on
livestock herds were reported," the biologist states.
One of the most important aspects to emerge from the analysis of the
diet of wolves is that consumption of wild and domestic hoofed animals
does not depend on their availability, that is, the abundance of prey
species. The wolf prefers roe deer, deer and wild boar ahead of
livestock, "in spite of the fact that both food types can be found in
large quantities," Barja adds.
The results of the study confirm that wolves do not feed on the most
easily captured prey, such as domestic hoofed animals; rather they
prefer to consume wild animals. It would, however, be inaccurate to
categorise the wolf as an opportunist species in the study area.
"In areas with a low density and diversity of wild hoofed animals
where wolves feed on domestic animals, an increase in the number of
wild prey, livestock vigilance and limited access to carcasses could
force wolves to specialise in the consumption of wild prey and transmit
this behaviour to their offspring. Without doubt, this would help to
minimise conflict between humans and wolves, and would support the
conservation of canidae," the researcher concludes.
| inviato da
ecoview il 24/10/2009 alle 12:19 | |
