Original scientific paper

Causes of wolf mortality in Croatia in the period 1986-2001.

Đuro Huber ; Biology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Josip Kusak ; Biology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Alojzije Frković ; Rijeka, Croatia
Goran Gužvica ; Biology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Tomislav Gomerčić ; Biology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

We recorded a total of 92 dead grey wolves (Canis lupus) in Croatia during the period1986-2001: 60 (65.2%) were shot, 18 (19.6%) died as a result of traffic accidents, while the cause of death of 6 (6.5%) wolves remained unknown, 5 (5.4%) suffered from rabies, and one each was killed by axe, by hay-fork, and by other wolves. Among dead wolves the share of females was 56%, mean age was 1.9 years, and the mean mass of adult wolves was 31.4 kg. We analyzed separately the 10 years (1986-1995) preceding, and the first 6 years (1996-2001) after the legal protection of the species (15 May 1995), when 30 and 62 wolves died, respectively. Annual mortality rose from 3.0 prior to protection to 10.3 after protection (3.4 times). This increase in mortality indicates no enforcement of the legal protection, as well as an increase in animosity by local people; it was also partly influenced by wolf population growth and it would appear that the recorded mortality is sustainable. We propose to adapt the legislation to permit the controlled hunting of wolves. This would in all likelihood lead to decreased animosity and would keep the wolf population safe from uncontrolled hunting.

Keywords

grey wolf; Canis lupus; mortality; Croatia

Hrčak ID:

79874

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/79874

Publication date:

21.6.2002.

Article data in other languages: croatian

Visits: 1.628 *