Elizabeth K. Orning
Darren A. Clark
Katie M. Dugger
2021
<div>Predator–prey interactions are among the most fundamental of ecological relationships. Recolonizing gray wolf (<i>Canis lupus</i><span> </span>Linnaeus, 1758) populations present new challenges for wildlife management in multi-prey, multi-carnivore systems. We documented diet composition and kill rates for wolves in a recently recolonized area over winter and summer seasons (2014–2015). Elk (<i>Cervus canadensis</i><span> </span>Erxleben, 1777) were the primary ungulate prey (63%) located at wolf kill sites. Deer (mule deer (<i>Odocoileus hemionus</i><span> </span>(Rafinesque, 1817)) and white-tailed deer (<i>Odocoileus virginianus</i><span> </span>(Zimmermann, 1780))) were less prevalent than elk in wolf diets, but the amount of deer in diets (40%–50%) varied by pack and season. Juvenile elk were the most prevalent class of prey in wolf diets during summer (63.3%) and winter (36.3%), with adult elk (32.5%) observed nearly as often as juveniles in winter. Kill rates varied by season, with rates 2.3 times higher in summer (mean = 3.5 ungulates/week per pack) than winter (mean = 1.5 ungulates/week per pack), consistent with increased availability and use of neonate prey. Prey biomass acquisition did not vary by pack or season (summer = 243 kg/week per pack; winter = 182 kg/week per pack). Our study quantified predation patterns for a recolonizing wolf population, and patterns that we documented were similar to other multi-prey systems in North America.</div>
application/pdf
10.1139/cjz-2021-0027
en
Canadian Science Publishing
Gray wolf (Canis lupus) predation patterns following recent recolonization in a multi-predator, multi-prey system
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