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Demographic effects of canine parvovirus on a free-ranging wolf population over 30 years

L.D. Mech·S.M. Goyal·W.J. Paul·W.E. Newton
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Abstract

We followed the course of canine parvovinis (CPV) antibody prevalence in a subpopulation of wolves (Canis 1upus) in northeastern Minnesota from 1973, when antibodies were first detected, through 2004. Annual early pup survival was reduced by 70%, and wolf population change was related to CPV antibody prevalence. In the greater Minnesota population of 3,000 wolves, pup survival was reduced by 40-60%. This reduction limited the Minnesota wolf population rate of increase to about 4% per year compared with increases of 16-58% in other populations. Because it is young wolves that disperse, reduced pup survival may have caused reduced dispersal and reduced recolonization of new range in Minnesota. ?? Wildlife Disease Association 2008.

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L.D. Mech, S.M. Goyal, W.J. Paul, W.E. Newton. 2008. Demographic effects of canine parvovirus on a free-ranging wolf population over 30 years. https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/70033740

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