Historical dynamics of a declining wolf population: persecution vs. prey reduction

摘要: Using records from archives detailing bounties for wolves killed in northern Spain during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, we investigated demographic spatial distribution parameters of population to determine whether direct persecution or prey availability was responsible observed decline. Captures adult, subadult, young individuals, including those litters, showed a downward trend. Progressive decreases age ratio litter size, increase proportion males, were compatible with under food stress, driven by extinction wild ungulates, sharp reduction livestock numbers, lack alternative prey. The immigration dispersal process does not seem have functioned such conditions. In study area, where strychnine used until end century, broadly accepted idea human having an exclusive primary role wolf decline necessarily apply.