Vol. 76 (4) 2024

ARTICLES

Home Range, Dispersal and Activity of Wolves Canis lupus L., 1758 (Mammalia: Canidae) in South-Western Bulgaria

Elena Y. Tsingarska1,2*, Hristo V. Peshev3,4, Krastio Y. Dimitrov1, Venislava V. Spasova1 &
Daniela M. Simeonovska-Nikolova1

More Info

1*Department of Ecology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Biology, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”,
8 Dragan Tsankov Blvd., 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria; elena@balkani.org, krastiodimitrov@gmail.com, venislavar@yahoo.com, mammals@abv.bg
2Balkani Wildlife Society, 8 Dragan Tsankov Blvd., 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria
3Fund for Wild Flora & Fauna, 49 Ivan Mihaylov Street, Office 327, P.O. Box 78, Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria; hristopeshev.eu@gmail.com
4Department of Geography, Ecology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, South-West University Neofit Rilski, Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria

https://doi.org/10.71424/azb76.4.002807

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Abstract
Home range size, dispersal and activity of wolves were studied for the first time in Bulgaria using radiotelemetry. In 2005–2009, three wolves (two males and one female), were equipped with VHF collars and radio-tracked in the south-western part of the country, in the Pirin and Maleshevska Mts. The first male (WM1), estimated as 8–9 years old, was tracked for 1.5 months, covering a small area of 10.3 km2 (100%
MCP). Home ranges of a female (WF1, 1 y old) and a second male (WM2, 1.5 y old), when resident in their natal packs, were 93.1 km2 and 139.7 km2, respectively, (100% MCP) (mean = 116.4 km2). The core areas (50% KDE) were 35 and 59.9 km2 (mean = 47.5 km2). Both WF1 and WM2 dispersed from their natal packs (mean dispersal distance of 33.1 km) but were killed by humans before settling and reproducing. During dispersal, WF1 was never recorded crossing main roads or other urbanised areas. In contrast, WM2 crossed the non-fenced international road E79 and the railway through the Kresna Gorge, at least 11 times. WF1 and WM2 were active in 45.1% and 44.9% (mean = 45%) of the time recorded, with pronounced crepuscular patterns. The results of the present work are a contribution to the study of the wolf population spatial ecology in Bulgaria and can serve for the better management of the species and its long-term conservation.

Key words
Canis lupus, telemetry, territory, dispersal success, road crossing, activity

How to Cite
Tsingarska E.Y., Peshev H.V., Dimitrov K .Y., Spasova V.V. & Simeonovska–Nikolova D.M. 2024. Home Range, Dispersal and Activity of Wolves Canis lupus L., 1758 (Mammalia: Canidae) in South-Western Bulgaria. Acta zoologica bulgarica 76 (4) 467-476.

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