What does the wolf eat? Assessing the diet of the endangered Iberian wolf (Canis lupus signatus) in northeast Portugal

摘要: The Iberian wolf (Canis lupus signatus) is a top predator that inhabits the Peninsula. In Portugal, its numbers and distribution declined throughout 20th century, due to human persecution, habitat degradation prey decline, which have led higher predation rates of livestock in remaining packs. Montesinho Natural Park (northeast Portugal), wild ungulate populations been increasing last years, may predate upon them. order assess diet this area, 85 scats were collected from transects distributed study area two periods between November 2017 August 2019. Scat analysis indicated high on ungulates, where frequency occurrence showed roe deer was most consumed (44%), followed by red (26%) boar (24%). Domestic/wild cat (6%), domestic goat stone marten (5%) lower quantities. It found selection towards (D = 0.71) only item significantly dependent season year (χ2 16.95, df 3, p < 0.001). This first Portugal recorded wolves feed mainly ungulates. We conclude be correlated with ungulates densities our as well suitable husbandry practices, leading shift previous studies