KILL RATES AND PREDATION BY WOLVES ON UNGULATE POPULATIONS IN BIAŁOWIEŻA PRIMEVAL FOREST (POLAND)

摘要: Wolf (Canis lupus) kill rates, factors affecting their variation, and predation impact on ungulates were studied in the Polish part of Biaowieza Primeval Forest (580 km 2 ). With mean size hunting groups being 4.4 individuals, wolves killed, average, 0.513 6 0.04 prey·(pack) 21 ·d (mean 1 SE); 63% prey red deer (Cervus elaphus), 28% wild boar (Sus scrofa), 4% roe (Capreolus capreolus). Per capita rate averaged 0.116 ungulates·(wolf) , daily food intake was 5.58 0.32 kg·(wolf) . Kill affected by snow cover (P 0.001). A pack 0.264 deer/d seasons with no 0.587 when 17 cm deep. The increase rates coincided a decline condition juvenile (but not adult) late winter marrow fat content femur 66% October-January vs. 27% February-March). decreased slightly (not significantly) increasing wolf group. However, amount acquired per did differ among containing 2-6 because larger packs killed bigger more often small less frequently than packs. higher spring-summer (0.242 0.06 boar·(pack) ), piglets present, autumn-winter (0.106 Annually, average 72 deer, 16 31 over 100-km area. Compared to densities, an important agent mortality for only, taking annually 12% (seasonally highest) numbers which equivalent 40% annual due breeding mortality. densities (3-6 deer/km percentage inversely density dependent; thus limited but regulate population. By eliminating substantial proportion production population, hamper its growth prolong time until it reaches carrying capacity habitat. alone is poor predictor population dynamics, are also subject lynx (Lynx lynx) harvest.