Scat analysis of gray wolves (Canis lupus) in Slovenia

Gray wolf (Canis lupus) is an opportunistic predator, hunting mainly large mammals. Its diet varies substantially between different regions; it is necessary, therefore, to obtain reliable data from different parts of the wolf's range. In Slovenia, the wolf's diet has been poorly studied. In the present preliminary analysis, we analyzed 30 wolf scats collected throughout the wolf range in the country. We determined prey species using microscopic analysis of ground hairs and inspection of teeth and postcranial skeletal remains. For each prey group we calculated the frequency of occurrence and estimated the consumed biomass. In Slovenia, the wolf's main prey are cervids (Cervidae), which were found in 87% of samples and represented 85% of consumed biomass. To a lesser extent, wolves were feeding on young wild boar (Sus scrofa; 7% of scats, 5% of consumed biomass) and on remains of domestic animals (7% of scats, 10% of consumed biomass)