Development of adaptive population conservation and management system promoted through the studies appointed by the conservation plan of the gray wolf Canis lupus in Latvia

Game Management Development Foundation agreement No. 24-00-S0MSF02-000004

The tasks of Study:

1. Compilation of distribution maps combining data on wolf occurrence, hunting results, demographic structure, genetic and kinship structures, prey availability (wild ungulates) and damage sites. The maps are based on national as well as internationally applied 10 × 10 km grid.
2. Graphical analysis of the data, determining how far from wolf hunting sites and how long before and after hunting it took to attack livestock. For analysis and model development, locations where the largest amount of damage was reported to the State Forest Service will be selected primarily.
3. Comparison of the progress of the wolf hunting quota fulfilment with the fulfilment of the quotas for other restrictedly used game species (ungulates) during the relevant hunting seasons will be performed as an indicator of a balanced hunting effort.
4. Study of the kinship structure in wolf groups of the same age (generations) and clarification of the proportion of related individuals in relation to the dynamics of the total population size and territorial structure. The use of related genotypes to identify the number of wolf packs (reproductive pairs).
5. Delineation of wider territories (regions of the country) based on units of 10 × 10 km squares, in which, on the basis of a long-term favorable characteristics of the local population (distribution, demography, kinship, foraging, expected level of conflict), the previous maximum allowable number of wolves to be hunted should be maintained.
6. Delineation of wider territories (regions of the country) based on units of 10 × 10 km squares, in which the maximum allowable number of wolves to be hunted does not need to be determined and can respond adaptively to the increase of conflicts within a permitted time frame, provided that a favorable status of the whole population in the country is maintained.
7. Evaluation of research material, methods, results and possibilities of a more adaptive system for the conservation and management of wolves in co-operation with the responsible authorities for hunting supervision and wildlife conservation.