Wolf diet in an agricultural landscape of north-eastern Turkey

摘要: In this study, we investigated wolf feeding ecology in Kars province, north-eastern Turkey, by analysing 72 scat samples collected spring 2013. Ongoing camera trap surveys suggest that large wild ungulates are exceptionally rare the region. On contrary, livestock is abundant. Accordingly, scats analysis revealed live- stock constituted most of biomass intake for wolves, although small mammals were frequent prey items. Wild occasional prey, and wolves make use main village garbage dump as a food source, remains scarce samples. Wolf dependence on anthropogenic resources, primarily livestock, generates human- wildlife conflicts study area. Uncontrolled carcass disposal seems to boost behaviour. Synanthropy enhances probability wolf-human encounters thus increases risk direct persecution, vehicle collisions, hybridisation with dogs. When not available, mam- mals an important alternative wolves. This may increase interspecific competition, particularly lynx, which also lacking natural Our preliminary results contribute conservation Anatolian-Caucasian range, where further studies urgently needed generate baseline data.