Assessing the roles of wolves and dogs in livestock predation with suggestions for mitigating human–wildlife conflict and conservation of wolves

摘要: Predation on livestock is a cause of serious and long-lasting conflict between farmers wildlife, promoting negative public attitudes endangering conservation large carnivores. However, while carnivores, especially the grey wolf (Canis lupus), are often blamed for killing sheep other farm animals, free-ranging dogs may also act as predators. To develop appropriate measures protection, reliable methods identifying predator species critical. Identification predators from visual examination wounds can be ambiguous genetic analysis strongly preferable accurate determination. estimate proportion wolves implicated in predation, we developed sensitive assay to distinguish domestic dogs. A total 183 saliva samples collected killed Estonia were analysed. The identified 143 cases (78%). Sheep most by (81%); however, predation was substantial (15%). We compared molecular results with field observations conducted local environmental officials recorded some disagreement, latter underestimating role As prey poor quality, suggest using mitochondrial DNA primary tool maximise number successfully analysed samples. adopting forensic more widely assessments legislative measure since misidentification that biased against counterproductive enhancing society leading increased culling poaching.