Feeding dynamics of the wolf (Canis lupus) in the anthropogenic landscape of Germany: a 20-year survey

Abstract

In Germany, wolves live in a human-dominated landscape. The return of the wolf to Germany more than 20 years ago is a prime example of successful nature conservation; however, it has also led to conflict due to the high degree of landscape fragmentation and the feeding habits of the wolf. Here, the wolf diet composition was studied based on an analysis of 11,225 scats. Wolves in Germany mainly feed on wild ungulates, which comprise more than 94% of their diet. The predominant species are roe deer and wild boar, whereby in most territories roe deer dominate the diet composition. Depending on availability, red deer and fallow deer may also make up a high proportion of the diet. Seasonal and territorial variation in diet composition has been noted even in directly neighboring territories. Wolves preferentially hunt juveniles of the main prey species. With the exception of the mouflon, which has all but disappeared locally, no other ungulate species has vanished from the wolf’s diet. This study provides an overview of the varied diet of wolves in Germany since recolonization more than 20 years ago.