Monitoring wolves (Canis lupus) by non-invasive genetics and camera trapping: a small-scale pilot study

Abstract

Monitoring populations of elusive large carnivores like wolves (Canis lupus), which are often distributed at low density in widespread forested areas, is difficult or exceedingly expensive. Aiming to assess the power of two indirect monitoring methods, non-invasive genetic sampling and camera trapping, we designed a small-scale pilot study that was carried out from 2006 to 2008 in and around the Corno alle Scale Regional Park, Bologna, northern Italian Apennine. We collected 103 non-invasive samples (mainly scats) that were genotyped at 12 microsatellite loci and sexed using the ZFX gene. We identified 11 distinct wolf genotypes within the park and four wolf genotypes outside. Spatial locations and kinship analyses showed that the wolves belong to three different packs. The breeding pair of the 'Park' pack showed a complete turnover in the two sampling seasons. Two dogs, but no hybrids, were identified in the area. Up to five unbaited camera traps were activated (for 1,250 trapping-nights) close to recent wolf presence marks. We obtained 103 photos of wolves, documenting the reproduction events, the minimum number of adult and young wolves, and phenotype information each year. We obtained information on health conditions detecting probable sarcoptic mange in three individuals. Camera trapping also showed that the presence of wolves in a chase area during wild boar (Sus scrofa) hunting sessions was significantly higher in the nights just after a chase (P< 0.01, χ 2 test; P<0.07¸exact Fisher test). The data obtained from genetics and camera trapping were consistent with one other, and in part complementary. The total cost of the study (c. 28,000 €) was moderate, suggesting that this integrated approach can be successfully used to monitor the structure and dynamics of local wolf packs.

Non-invasive monitoring of the European wildcat (Felis silvestris silvestris Schreber, 1777): comparative analysis of three different monitoring techniques and evaluation of their integration

“…They have proved to be a reliable source of samples for genetic analyses Galaverni et al 2012;Ruiz-González et al 2013;Anile et al 2014;DeMatteo et al 2014). They have proved to be a reliable source of samples for genetic analyses Galaverni et al 2012;Ruiz-González et al 2013;Anile et al 2014;DeMatteo et al 2014).…”

Intensity of Territorial Marking Predicts Wolf Reproduction: Implications for Wolf Monitoring

“…Individual asymmetries in territorial marking behaviour can influence indices of abundance based on marks [25], [26], [48], [49]. Thus, understanding the link between different marking behaviours and the abundance of marks is the only way to efficiently interpret monitoring procedures based on marks (i.e.…”

The applicability of camera trapping to estimate population density of chamois in Biokovo Nature Park

“…Praćenje stanja i brojnost populacije divljih životinja predstavlja ključ u njihovom gospodarenju i zaštiti (Galaverni, et al, 2011;Gil-Sánchez, et al, 2011). Postoji više metoda za procjenu brojnog stanja divljih životinja (Tomljanović, et al, 2009), ali današnje spoznaje ukazuju da su podatci dobiveni obradom senzornih kamera jedni od najrelevantnijih (Plhal, et al, 2011).…”

“…Korištenje senzornih kamera daje dobre rezultate, jednostavne su za primjenu iako su u početku potrebna veća ulaganja, daju više informacija (dob, struktura populacije, kondicijsko stanje...) i zahtijevaju manje utrošenog vremena (Tomljanović, et al, 2009;Plhal, et al, 2011;Towerton, et al, 2011). Također je vrlo važna činjenica da podatke prikupljamo bez uznemiravanja divljači (Trolle and Kery , 2005, Galaverni, et al, 2011, Gil-Sánchez, et al, 2011 …”