A multidisciplinary approach to estimating wolf population size for long-term conservation

Area of Science:

• Wildlife Ecology
• Conservation Biology
• Population Genetics

Background:

• The wolf (Canis lupus) is a controversial species requiring accurate abundance data for informed public debate and policy.
• Estimating wildlife populations at biologically relevant scales presents significant challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and implement a comprehensive system for wolf population estimation across the Italian alpine region.
• To produce reliable estimates of wolf abundance and reproductive units, transcending administrative boundaries.
• To provide a scalable model for wildlife monitoring that can inform conservation practices.

Main Methods:

• A coordinated network of 1513 trained operators from 160 institutions facilitated genetic sample collection.
• Landscape-level spatial capture-recapture analyses were employed for population estimation.
• Monitoring effort was spatially estimated to address limitations of citizen science data.

Main Results:

• Wolf abundance was estimated at 952 individuals (95% CI: 816-1120).
• 135 reproductive units (packs) were estimated (95% CI: 112-165).
• Mature individuals constituted 33-45% of the total wolf population.

Conclusions:

• This study demonstrates an effective large-scale, harmonized approach to wolf population monitoring.
• The findings support wolf-human coexistence through robust abundance data and conservation practices.
• The methodology overcomes limitations of citizen science and provides a valuable model for wildlife management.