Feeding ecology of the wolf ( Canis lupus ) in a near-natural ecosystem in Mongolia

摘要: The increasing animosity towards wolves (Canis lupus) by livestock-keeping nomads in Mongolia and the accompanying conflicts highlight urgent need for knowledge about feeding behavior of wolves, since information on ecology is rare, especially mountain taiga forest steppe regions Northern Mongolia. Those are characterized a relatively high wildlife diversity sparsely populated humans. To face this problem, 137 wolf scats were collected Khentii Mountain range between 2008 2012. Almost all faeces contained remnants wild ungulates, which made up 89% consumed biomass. Siberian roe deer (Capreolus pygargus) was most important positively selected prey species. It followed red (Cervus elaphus) boar (Sus scrofa), negatively wolves. Wolves also fed buffer species such as lagomorphs small mammals. No evidence domestic ungulates found diet. Thus, near-natural habitats with diverse fauna animals to limit livestock depredation.