Work

Food Habits of the Wolf in a Low-Density Territory in the Northeast of Trás-os-Montes (Portugal)

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The study of carnivores' diets is an important conservation tool, which can minimize conflicts with different stakeholders and provide proper substantiations for management measures. The main aim of this study was to understand the diet of a small, isolated pack named Mogadouro Sul, present in the Northeast of Trás-os-Montes (Portugal). Scat analysis was the method used to determine what wolves consumed. The specific origin of all collected fecal samples (n = 78) was confirmed by molecular analysis. The results, expressed in frequency of occurrence (FO) showed that domestic animals were the most frequent food category in the wolf's diet (78.3% FO), with a special incidence in goats (40.6% FO), although wild ungulates (roe deer and wild boar) also accounted for 21.7% FO of the diet. The study pack presented a diet diversity (H') of 0.65 and a food niche breadth (B') of 0.55. Food availability did not appear to be a limiting factor, and the wolf's presence in the study area could be explained by changes in land use and increased infrastructure. This trophic behavior may threaten the conservation of this pack due to the persecution it may face.

Source: Animals

DOI: 10.3390/ani15060873

Authors: Samuel Lemos, Luis Llaneza, Armando Pereira, Aurora Monzón

Institutions: Centro Nacional de Reprodução de Lince Ibérico, Universidade da Coruña, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro

Language: English

Topic: Wildlife Ecology and Conservation

Subfield: Ecology

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Life on land

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896