Gray wolf (Canis lupus) predation patterns following recent recolonization in a multi-predator, multi-prey system

Katie M. Dugger; Elizabeth K. Orning; Darren A. Clark

doi:10.1139/cjz-2021-0027

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Gray wolf (Canis lupus) predation patterns following recent recolonization in a multi-predator, multi-prey system

Katie M. Dugger·Elizabeth K. Orning·Darren A. Clark

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Abstract

Predator–prey interactions are among the most fundamental of ecological relationships. Recolonizing gray wolf ( Canis lupus 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 ( Cervus canadensis Erxleben, 1777) were the primary ungulate prey (63%) located at wolf kill sites. Deer (mule deer ( Odocoileus hemionus (Rafinesque, 1817)) and white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus (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.

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Source-reported bounding extent: 45.242998979931286° to 45.99651156640198° latitude; -118.84778214253629° to -117.1671331278142° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

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Katie M. Dugger, Elizabeth K. Orning, Darren A. Clark. 2021. Gray wolf (Canis lupus) predation patterns following recent recolonization in a multi-predator, multi-prey system. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjz-2021-0027

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