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Author Ronnenberg, K.; Habbe, B.; Gräber, R.; Strauß, E.; Siebert, U.
Title Coexistence of wolves and humans in a densely populated region (Lower Saxony, Germany) Type Journal Article
Year 2017 Publication Basic and Applied Ecology Abbreviated Journal Basic. Appl. Ecol.
Volume 25 Issue Pages 1-14
Keywords Grey wolf; ; Habitat use; Species distribution models; Predator-prey interactions
Abstract Since the first sporadic occurrences of grey wolves (Canis lupus) west of the Polish border in 1996, wolves have shown a rapid population recovery in Germany. Wolves are known to avoid people and wolf attacks on humans are very rare worldwide. However, the subjectively perceived threat is considerable, especially as food-conditioned habituation to humans occurs sporadically. Lower Saxony (Germany) has an exceedingly higher human population density than most other regions with territorial wolves; thus, the potential for human-wolf conflicts is higher. Using hunters' wildlife survey data from 455 municipalities and two years (2014-2015) and data from the official wolf monitoring (557 confirmed wolf presences and 500 background points) collected between 2012-2015, grey wolf habitat selection was modelled using generalized additive models with respect to human population density, road density, forest cover and roe deer density. Moreover, we tested whether habitat use changed in response to human population and road density between 2012/2013 and 2014/2015. Wolves showed a preference for areas of low road density. Human population density was less important as a covariate in the model of the survey data. Areas with higher prey abundance (5-10 roe deer/km2) and areas with >20% forest cover were preferred wolf habitats. Wolves were mostly restricted to areas with the lowest road and human population densities. However, between the two time periods, avoidance of human density decreased significantly. Recolonization of Germany is still in its early stages and it is unclear where this process will halt. To-date authorities mainly concentrate on monitoring measures. However, to avoid conflict, recolonization will require more stringent management of wolf populations and an improved information strategy for rural populations.
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Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1439-1791 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 6397
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Author Udell, M.A.R.; Dorey, N.R.; Wynne, C.D.L.
Title Wolves outperform dogs in following human social cues Type Journal Article
Year 2008 Publication Animal Behaviour. Abbreviated Journal Anim. Behav.
Volume 76 Issue 6 Pages 1767-1773
Keywords Canis familiaris; Canis lupus; dog; dog shelter; domestication; momentary distal point; object choice; social cognition; wolf
Abstract Domestic dogs, Canis familiaris, have been shown capable of finding hidden food by following pointing gestures made with different parts of the human body. However, previous studies have reported that hand-reared wolves, C. lupus, fail to locate hidden food in response to similar points in the absence of extensive training. The failure of wolves to perform this task has led to the proposal that the ability to understand others' intentions is a derived character in dogs, not present in the ancestral population (wolves). Here we show that wolves, given the right rearing environment and daily interaction with humans, can use momentary distal human pointing cues to find food without training, whereas dogs tested outdoors and dogs at an animal shelter do not follow the same human points. In line with past studies, pet dogs tested indoors were successful in following these points. We also show that the reported failure of wolves in some past studies may be due to differences in the testing environment. Our findings indicate that domestication is not a prerequisite for human-like social cognition in canids, and show the need for additional research on the role of rearing conditions and environmental factors in the development of higher-level cognitive abilities.
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Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0003-3472 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4964
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Author Zlatanova, D.; Ahmed, A.; Valasseva, A.; Genov, P.
Title Adaptive Diet Strategy of the Wolf (Canis lupus L.) in Europe: a Review Type Journal Article
Year 2014 Publication ACTA ZOOLOGICA BULGARICA Abbreviated Journal Acta zool. bulg.
Volume 66 Issue 4 Pages 439-452
Keywords Wolf, Canis lupus, prey, adaptive strategy
Abstract The diet strategy of the wolf in Europe is reviewed on the basis of 74 basic and 14 additional literature

sources. The comparative analysis reveals clear dependence on the latitude (and, therefore, on the changing

environmental conditions) correlated with the wild ungulate abundance and diversity. Following a

geographic pattern, the wolf is specialised on different species of ungulates: moose and reindeer in Scandinavia,

red deer in Central and Eastern Europe and wild boar in Southern Europe. Where this large prey

is taken, the roe deer is hunted with almost the same frequency in every region. The wolf diet in Europe

shows two ecological adaptations formed by a complex of variables: 1. Wolves living in natural habitats

with abundance of wild ungulates feed mainly on wild prey. 2. In highly anthropogenic habitats, with low

abundance of wild prey, wolves feed on livestock (where husbandry of domestic animals is available) and

take also a lot of plant food, smaller prey (hares and rodents) and garbage food. The frequency of occurrence

of wild ungulates in the diet of wolves in North Europe varies from 54.0% in Belarus to 132.7% in

Poland, while that of livestock is in the range from 0.4% in Norway to 74.9% in Belarus. In South Europe,

the frequency of occurrence of wild prey varies from 0% in Italy and Spain to 136.0% in Italy, while of domestic

ungulates ranges between 0% and 100% in Spain. The low density or lack of wild prey triggers the

switch of the wolf diet to livestock, plant food (32.2-85% in Italy) or even garbage (up to 41.5% in Italy).
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 6388
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