Surveying wolves without snow: a critical review of the methods used in Spain

摘要: Wolves (Canis lupus) are dicult to survey, and in most countries, snow is used for identifying the species, counting individuals, recording movements determining social position. However, Iberian peninsula other southern regions of its gobal range, very scarce winter, so wolves must be surveyed without snow. In Spain Portugal, through estimating number wolf packs summer by means locating litters pups when they at rendezvous sites. Packs confirmed observed or respond simulated howling. We make a critical review this method, exploring sources error packs, constraints howling uncertainty caused variations eort, observer experience variables. stress diculty assessing average pack size percentage not included (pairs solitary wolves), which can exceed 30% population. These restrictions method unaccurate unable detect moderate even large population variations. At same time, indices based on abundance tracks scats hampered lack problem distinguish them from those dogs. conclude that accepting limitations these surveys highlighting figures provide more realistic will encourage prudent approach management.