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

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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.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank E. Centofanti, Natura Service, for providing all the camera trapping equipment; S. Cavicchi, University of Bologna, and A. Papeschi, University of Florence, for their advice in planning the eco-ethological test; S. Sarno (student at University of Bologna) for her collaboration in the field work; G. Pontrandolfo (University of Trieste) and J. Robinson (UCLA) for linguistic assistance. Genotyping at the Conservation Genetics Lab (ISPRA) was supported by the Italian Ministry of Environment (thanks to General Director of Nature Conservation, Dr. A. Cosentino), and by the Emilia-Romagna Region (thanks to Dr. M.L. Bargossi and Dr. M.L. Zanni).

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  1. Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale (ISPRA), Laboratorio di genetica, via Cà Fornacetta, 9, 40064, Ozzano dell’Emilia, BO, Italy

    Marco Galaverni, Elena Fabbri, Romolo Caniglia, Claudia Greco & Ettore Randi

  2. Parco Regionale del Corno alle Scale, Via Roma, 1, Pianaccio, 40042, Lizzano in Belvedere, BO, Italy

    Davide Palumbo

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  1. Marco Galaverni
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  2. Davide Palumbo
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Correspondence to Marco Galaverni.

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Communicated by C. Gortázar

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Galaverni, M., Palumbo, D., Fabbri, E. et al. Monitoring wolves (Canis lupus) by non-invasive genetics and camera trapping: a small-scale pilot study. Eur J Wildl Res 58, 47–58 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-011-0539-5

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