Wolf
Canis lupus L., 1758
Order Carnivora
Family Canidae
Conservation status: in Bulgaria: Vulnerable VU [A4c,d,e+D1], BDA-II, IV; International: BeC-II, CITES-II, HD-II, IV.
General distribution. North America, Asia, Northern, Eastern, Southern, and partly Central Europe.
Distribution and abundance in Bulgaria. At the beginning of 20th century it was spread throughout the country. In 1965-75, there remained only 110-130 individuals in 5 border zones [1]. In the 80s an expansion started because of the ban on poisoning and the increase of wild hoofed animals; numbers – 600-700 individuals [2; Bulgarian Forestries Questionnaire, 1989]. In 1996-9 at least 1 000 individuals. At present the numbers are declining. At the end of the winter it inhabits an area of about 32 thousand km2 with 100-120 families (an average of 5 individuals) and numbers between 700 - 800 individuals (200-250 are breeding animals and 25% are nonterritorial wolves); with an average density of 5 000 ha/individuals over 1 000 m and 10 000 ha under this altitude. The family territory is 15 000 ha at the average, 25000 ha, respectively. During the breeding season it inhabits the mountains, partly Northeastern Bulgaria; in the autumn and until the middle of the winter it also goes down to the valleys [3]. [1; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7; 8; 9; 10; 11; 12; 13].
Habitats. It prefers mountainous regions with forests, shrubs, rocks, gorges and meadows that are difficult to access by human.
Biology. Monogamous, the couple is for the lifetime. Breeding animals in the packs are only the dominant couples. The mating season is in January-February. The cubs, 4-6 at the average, are born in April. In September the family pack (usually 5-8 wolves) gathers for the autumn-winter hunting. Trophically, the species in Europe is synanthropic. The basic prey consists of wild ungulates, sheep, carrion, dogs, goats, donkeys, etc. [2; 7; 14; 15; 16; Forestries Questionnaire, 1989].
Similar species. It differs from dogs of the "wolf type" by the thick, non-crooked tail, the massive neck, the short and wide ears.
Negative factors. Hunting all the year round (up to 500 individuals killed at the average per year – 1996-7, and about 300 individuals for the 2001-2004 period [17;18]), decrease of the nutrition base, competition and hybridization with wandering dogs [2; 19].
Conservation measures taken. Ban on the poisonous baits from the beginning of the 70s. Included in the Red Data Book of Bulgaria from 1985. Measures of protection according to the Biological Diversity Act. Declaration of vast national and natural parks, inhabited by 20 families.
Conservation measures needed. Declaration of protected territories and zones in the Balkan range, the Rhodopes, the Ludogorie region, Sredna gora, Pirin, the western border mountains and in the closed forest basins [20; 21]. Restriction on the hunting of wolves in the spring and in the summer. Ensuring passages through the motorways for the species. Monitoring. A national and a Balkan strategy for preservation. Popularization of the role of the wolf in the ecosystems. Compensation for damages in animal breeding.
References. 1. Spiridonov & Spassov, 1985; 2. Spiridonov & Spassov, 1998; 3. Spiridonov & Dimitrov, 2006; 4. Guohz, 1987; 5. Smirnov & Korytin, 1985; 6. Ivano, 1988; 7. Promberger et al., 1997; 8. Spassov et al., 2000a; 9. Spassov et al., 2000b; 10. Spassov & Spiridonov, 2006; 11. Spiridonov, 2003; 12. Strbenac, 2005; 13. Bibikov et al., 1985; 14. Genov et al., 1990; 15. Genov et al., 1996; 16. Adamovich, 1989; 17. Genov et al., 2005; 18. Spassov et al., 2001; 19. Ryabov, 1985; 20. Spiridonov & Spassov, 2005; 21. Spiridonov & Raev, 2006.
Authors: Geko Spiridonov, Nikolai Spassov
