Wolves in the Casentinesi Forests: insights for wolf conservation in Italy from a protected area with a rich wild prey community

摘要: Abstract The Casentinesi Forests, in the northern Apennines, harbour a rich community of wild ungulates, with wolf representing largest predator area. Between 1993 and 2000, pack distribution area was monitored estimates size were obtained by wolf-howling surveys, snow-tracking, occasional observations. Three to five packs detected yearly, sizes averaging 4.2 ± 0.9 wolves (maximum 7). overall density 4.7 per 100 km 2 an average distance between adjacent 11.1 km. high Forests is mostly related abundance prey. In this, like other areas at low latitudes, depends mainly on number packs, as rather small recruitment limited early dispersal mortality. homesites used several years resident discovered. Homesite fidelity reproductive success higher fully protected than harvested areas. Establishing network ungulate diversity proposed main factor for allowing full recovery population Italy.