Wolf recovery and population dynamics

in Western Poland

Photo by W. Bena

Sabina Nowak Association for Nature „Wolf”

Poland

Robert W. Mysłajek University of Warsaw, Faculty of Biology

Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Poland

Large Carnivores in Central Europe: Experiences in Monitoring, Management, and Communication, Berlin 18-19 April 2016

Wolf population development in Poland

2001 2015/16

Population size: ~ 550 1200 - 1300 wolves

Methods

Vegetation season: recording tracks, scats, scent markings, remains of kills

Winter: long-distance snow-tracking, searching for rut evidences in parental

pairs

Methods

Summer season: confirmation of reproduction in family groups

(searching for pups tracks and dens, camera trapping of pups)

Methods

Whole year:

• scat collecting for wolf diet analyses,

• colecting samples from fresh scats, blood, urine, hair and

tissues for genetic analyses

Methods

GPS GSM telemetry

3 wolves found in snares, equipped with collars and released

by the Western-Pomeranian Nature Society

Wolf recovery in western Poland, 2001-2012

Wolf recovery in Western Poland

Changes in number of wolves and packs in WPL 2001-2012

The mean annual rate of

increase in 2002-2012 – 38%

(λ=1.38 SE 0.01)

from ~ 7 to ~ 139

from 3 to 30

In 2009 - 2012 the mean

annual rate of increse

dropped to ~ 20%

Wolf recovery in Western Poland

The area of permanent occurrence increased (2001-2012)

from 600 km2 to 10,900 km2

Wolf recovery in Western Poland

Mean pack size 3.6 wolves (range 2-9) in 2001-2012

The mean size of packs increased from 1.8 in 2001 to 4.8 in 2012

Wolf recovery in Western Poland

The size of packs persisting for longer increased

from 2.0 in 2001 to 6.8 in 2012

Wolf recovery in Western Poland

Pups were born from end of April to May 4th in excavated

dens (57 cases)

96 cases of reproduction recorded in 2001-2012

Mean litter size: 5.1 pups

(range 4-7)

Photo: R. Mysłajek

Reproduction

Wolf recovery in Western Poland

R. Mysłajek

Pups survival in late autumn (end of November) - 50%

On average 2.5 pups per pack in late autumn

Mortality 7%

Mortality 14%

% food biomass (n=474 scats)

Other

7%

Roe deer

43%

Red deer

22 %

Wild boar

23%

Unidetified

ungulates

5%

Source: Nowak et al. 2011

Diet of wolves in Western Poland

Wolf recovery in Western Poland

Pack number

increased in WPL:

from 30 groups (25-

26 packs and 4-5

pairs) in 2012/2013

to 38-40 groups

(33-34 packs

and 5-6 pairs or

groups without

confirmed

reproduction)

in spring 2015

• 1945-1955 Hunting management

(no protection season)

• 1956-1974 Persecution

(including poisoning and pups removal from dens)

• 1975-1994 Hunting management

(short protection season in some parts of the country)

• 1995-1998 Protection in most of the country

(including Western Poland)

• 1998-present Protection in the whole country

Legal status of wolves in Poland, 1945-2015

Key actions for wolf populations in Europe

M.

Action 1. Standardized census and monitoring of

wolf population

Action 2. Transboundary cooperation and

population-level management plans

Action 3. Prevention and compensation measures

to reduce livestock depredation.

Action 4. Measures against illegal killing and control

of poison baits

Action 5. Control of free-ranging dogs and wolf-dog

hybridization

Action 6. Habitat fragmentation and connectivity

Action 7. Education, information and data

accessibility

Baltic wolf population

~ 400-450 wolves

Central European wolf

population

~ 180-200 wolves

Carpathian wolf

population

~ 300 - 400 wolves

Spatial management units of wolf population

in Poland

Roztocze wolf population

~ 100 wolves

Action 1. Standardized census and monitoring of

wolf population

M.

• Monitoring standards

Action 1. Standardized census and monitoring of

wolf population

M.

• No nation‐wide system of standarized census and wolf monitoring

in Poland.

• The Central Statistical Office annually publishan information on

numer of wolf population based on reports provided by regional

directorates of environmental protection (RDEPs).

• RDEPs request for data from local NGOs, scientists,

environmentalists, forest divisions and hunters.

Fot. R. Mysłajek

Action 1. Standardized census and monitoring of

wolf population

M.

• 2001-2009. National wolf and lynx census, coordinated by the Mammal

Research Institute Polish Academy of Sciences and the Association for

Nature „Wolf”, partly financed by the State Forest Service.

• 2001-present. Wolf monitoring in western Poland conducted by the

Association for Nature „Wolf”, supported by IFAW, EuroNatur, Wolves

and Humans fundation and own sources.

• 1997-present. Wolf monitoring in the western-most part of Carpathian

Mountains, conducted by the Association for Nature „Wolf”, financed

partly by Wolves and Humans Foundation and EuroNatur. Since 2014

joint project with Hnuti Duha from Czech Republic.

• 2014/2015. Wolf census in NE Poland conducted by State Forest Service

in co-operation with Association for Nature „Wolf”.

Action 1. Standardized census and monitoring of

wolf population

M.

• 2005-2009. Studies on the wolf

genetic structure in Poland

conducted by the Mammal Research

Institute Polish Academy of

Sciences and the Assciation for

Nature „Wolf”.

• 2010-present. Genetic monitoring of

wolves in western Poland conducted

by the Association for Nature „Wolf”,

since 2014 together with the Institute

of Genetics and Biotechnology

Faculty of Biology University of

Warsaw.

In 2014 - Central European Wolf Consortium – joint genetic research on

wolf dispersal in Europe.

Action 2.Transboundary cooperation

M.

Wolves strictly protected (Central European population)

• Poland

• Germany

• Czech Republic

Wolves hunted (Baltic and Carpathian populations)

• Slovakia

• Lithuania

• Ukraine

• Belarus

• Russia

Action 2.Transboundary cooperation

M.

• Polish-German wolf working group

• One or two meetings per year

• Joint reports.

Action 2.Transboundary cooperation

M.

• Polish-Slovak large carnivore working group

• Irregular meetings: June 2012, April 2013.

• Since 2013/14 harvest quota limited to 80-90 wolves

• Buffer zone along Polish-Slovak state border without wolf

hunting

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Hunting quota

Wolf harvest

Wolf hunting in Slovakia 2007-2014 N

um

ber

of

wolv

es

Hunting seasons

Action 3. Prevention and compensation measures

to reduce livestock depredation

M.

• Compensation paid by regional directorates for environmental

protection

• Annual compensation: ca. 110.000 EUR – 5.3% of compensation paid

for all species (eg. for the beaver compensation amount is 20x higher)

• Numerous projects supporting farmers – livestock protection measures,

guidebooks and trainings.

Action 6. Habitat fragmentation and connectivity

M.

• Project of ecological corridors linking Natura 2000 sites

elaborated in 2004.

• Habitat suitability model for wolves in Poland elaborated in

2008 and 2011. Results of wolf habitat suitability model - predicted values

Natura 2000 sites protecting wolf habitats

M.

73 sites

15,284 km2

25% wolf habitats in Poland

Source: Reinhardt, Kluth, Nowak & Mysłajek, 2013

Fot. R. Mysłajek

Action 6. Habitat fragmentation and connectivity

M.

• 96 overpasses and 353 underpasses for large terrestrial mammals

already built (over 200 planned on new motorways).

• Post-investment monitoring proved that wolves use these wildlife

crossing structures.

Action 7. Education and information

M.

Numerous educational campaignes conducted by NGOs

and govermental bodies

Action 7. Education and information

M.

Books about wolves for adults and children

Adam Wajrak Wolves Aniela Cholewińska Chaber the wolf pup

Action 7. Education and information

M.

Books about wolves for adults and children

Acknowledgements

Association for Nature „Wolf” is supported by

Wolf genetics group of the Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology,

Faculty of Biology University of Warsaw is supported by

Thank you for your attention