Poland – Polska

Abstract
Anthropogenic hybridization between wild and domesticated forms of the same species is a significant concern in conservation biology. This problem is especially important for the gray wolf (Canis lupus), which hybridizes with the domestic dog (C. lupus familiaris) throughout its range. To understand the overlap between hybrid and wolf food niches, we compared the diet of hybrids from two locations with that of wolves from seven locations across Poland. We found that wolf × dog hybrids primarily consumed wild ungulates (95.5–100% of their food biomass), mainly Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), Fallow deer (Dama dama), and wild Boar (Sus scrofa), and supplemented their diet with medium-sized wild mammals such as European hare (Lepus europaeus) and Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber). The diet of hybrids does not differ from that of wild wolves, and our findings confirm that wolf × dog hybrids may compete with wolves for the same food resources. Preventing wolf-dog hybridization is therefore crucial for safeguarding the ecological roles of wolves. Efforts in this area will be ineffective without reducing the free-ranging dog population and taking decisive steps to prevent dogs from entering wolf habitats.

Abstract

The brown bear Ursus arctos, Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx, and gray wolf Canis lupus are Europe’s threatened large carnivores. The analyses were conducted using data on the abundance of these species in Poland, collected by the Polish Central Statistical Office (bear 1965–2023, wolf 1995–2023, and lynx 1996–2023). For the years 2000–2023, data were also available by region. We subjected these data to statistical analysis: chi-square tests, segmented regression, and principal component analysis. Biplots, charts of population dynamics, and distribution maps were created to visualize the results. In Poland in the analyzed time period, an increase in the population of all three studied carnivores was observed along with the westward expansion of the territorial range of lynx and wolf, while bear range remained unchanged. The most mean population increase was exhibited by the gray wolf (7.01%), followed by the brown bear (4.78%) and, finally, the Eurasian lynx (2.94%). The population dynamics of the carnivores showed trends over time, with a notable increase in the last decade. The use of multi-year data in modelling enables a better understanding of the mechanisms governing the abundance and distribution of populations of endangered species. This, in turn, facilitates the planning of more effective conservation measures.

Abstract

The recovery of the wolf (Canis lupus) population in Europe is progressing, and predators settle in vast forests as well as in areas intensively used for agriculture, where interactions between wolves and livestock are frequent, often leading to conflicts with local communities. In 2020–2022, we studied the wolf diet composition in the Warta River Mouth (WRM hereinafter) region (western Poland), where herds of cattle (ca. 4,000) and horses (ca. 700) are freely grazed. Using genetic fingerprinting based on microsatellite DNA markers, tracking, and camera trapping, we confirmed that the area is used by two wolf family groups. Through the analysis of scat content (n = 109), we found that in the WRM, wolves feed primarily on wild ungulates (81.9% of the consumed food biomass) and wild medium-sized mammals (14.5%). Domestic animals were eaten rarely, and cattle and dogs comprised 3% and 0.4% of the consumed food biomass, respectively. During these two years of research, only three cattle calves consumed by wolves were found. The diet of wolves in the WRM did not significantly differ from the food composition of these predators in six other study areas within the Central European wolf population. Our research shows that despite the high availability of unguarded herds of cattle and horses, wolves prey mainly on wild mammals. Managers searching to solve wolf-livestock conflicts should consider that wolf depredation is not a simple function of livestock availability but is also influenced by other factors, such as the species and breed of livestock, grazing methods, landscape, and availability of wild prey.

Infections with zoonotic pathogens have received increasing attention in recent years, as reflected in the literature of both veterinary and human medicine. Cryptosporidium and Giardia are recognised as the principal causes of waterborne outbreaks worldwide, but there is still limited data on the role of wild carnivores, such as red foxes and wolves, as reservoir hosts and in disseminating these pathogens in the environment. The aim of the current project was to analyse the prevalence and abundance of Cryptosporidium and Giardia infections in foxes from seven voivodeships and in wolves from the Warmia-Masuria Voivodeship in Poland and to conduct a phylogenetic analysis of the detected parasites. For the detection of both parasites, we used the commercial immunofluorescent assay MeriFluor Cryptosporidium/Giardia. For Cryptosporidium detection we also applied modified Ziehl–Neelsen (ZN) staining of faecal smears and, following PCR amplification, sequenced the 18S rDNA locus. For Giardia detection, we sequenced the glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) gene. In total, 117 and 69 faecal samples obtained from red foxes and wolves, respectively, were screened for the presence of Cryptoporidium/Giardia. In red foxes, prevalence was 38.5% and 15.4% for Cryptosporidium spp. and G. intestinalis, respectively. In wolves, the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. was 14.5%, and only one sample was Giardia-positive. Cryptosporidium canis, Cryptosporidium sp. vole genotype, C. baileyi and Cryptosporidium sp. were identified in red foxes, while C. canis and Cryptosporidium sp. were detected in wolves. Our results indicate that red foxes and grey wolves act as reservoir hosts of Cryptosporidium spp. and G. intestinalis in natural areas in Poland.

Abstract
We performed an analysis of data on direct observations of wolves and their traces carried out by forest service employees, hunters, naturalists and local residents in areas supervised by eight Regional Directorates of State Forests (RDSFs) and in two National Parks located in Western Poland. The study area covered a major part of Western Poland, with the exception of RDSFs in Toruń and Łódź. The aim of the study was to determine the frequency and location of direct observations of wolves and their traces. Additionally, all reports on the prey of this predator were analysed. A mobile application was used to collect the following information: the date and time of observations, the location of observations with geographical coordinates, the number of wolves encountered during the direct observations of these animals and their tracks, wolf breeding sites, wolf prey, and vocalizations. A short description of the observations and photographic docu− mentation were included in the analysis as well. In total, 5664 records on the occurrence of wolves were collected in 2019−2022. The most abundant information about these animals was collected in the autumn−winter months, whereas a significantly lower number of data was recorded in the summer period. Single wolves were observed most frequently, followed by wolf pairs. The average number of individuals in a family group was 3.22, with 3.34, 2.98, 3.25, and 3.32 observed in the respective study years. Wolf packs composed of at least three individuals accounted for only 20.8% of the direct observations. Wolves and their traces were found in each Regional Directorate of State Forests and the two National Parks. The greatest number of records was reported from RDSFs in Szczecinek, Gdańsk, and Katowice, while the lowest number was found in RDSF in Zielona Góra. The distribution of wolves coincided with the presence of large forest complexes. These animals and their tracks were observed more frequently in counties with large forest cover and less often in counties with high population density. The study indicated that not all habitats typical for this species were occupied during the recolonization process. The reports have also shown that red deer (58%) and Roe deer (23%) were the most common wolf prey, whereas livestock (6%), Fallow deer (6%), and wild boars (5%) were attacked by wolves less frequently. The analysis of the data has indicated that wolves still occupy areas with the largest forest cover but are only occasionally encountered in less favourable environments. The majority of the records reported the presence of single wolves that may have been non−res− ident individuals or members of wolf packs searching for prey animals alone, especially in spring and summer.
Subjects

The aim of this study is to confirm the presence and molecular identification of Echinococcus tapeworms in wolves from south-eastern Poland. An investigation was carried out on the intestines of 13 wolves from south-eastern Poland. The small intestines were divided into three equal segments. Each segment was separately examined using the sedimentation and counting technique (SCT). The detected Echinococcus tapeworms were isolated and identified by PCRs and sequencing (nad1 and cox1 genes). Additionally, DNA isolated from the feces of wolves positive for Echinococcus tapeworms was examined with two diagnostic PCRs. The intestines of one wolf were positive for E. granulosus s.l. when assessed by SCT; the intestine was from a six-year-old male wolf killed in a communication accident. We detected 61 adult tapeworms: 42 in the anterior, 14 in the middle, and 5 in the posterior parts of the small intestine. The PCRs conducted for cox1 and nad1 produced specific products. A sequence comparison with the GenBank database showed similarity to the deposited E. ortleppi (G5) sequences. An analysis of the available phylogenetic sequences showed very little variation within the species of E. ortleppi (G5), and identity ranged from 99.10% to 100.00% in the case of cox1 and from 99.04% to 100.00% in the case of nad1. One of the two diagnostic PCRs used and performed on the feces of Echinococcus-positive animals showed product specific for E. granulosus. This study showed the presence of adult E. ortleppi tapeworms in wolves for the first time

The non-invasive methods, which do not need direct access and harassment of animals, are essential for biodiversity monitoring. For mammals, analyses of scats and hair samples, tracking and recording by remote cameras are among the most commonly used. The study aimed to verify the current status of animal populations using camera traps in Gorce National Park (GNP), located in the Polish Carpathians covered with the natural beech and spruce mountain forests. On average, 35 passive infra-red camera traps annually were deployed in GNP. The archived data from the period of December 2013 to December 2017 was processed. In total, there were 21087 recordings of animals with 23 different taxa of mammals including 17 large and medium-sized species. Shannon’s diversity index was H´= 1.908. Among ungulates, the most commonly observed species were red deer (Cervus elaphus; n=7898), followed wild Boar (Sus scrofa; n=526) and Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus; n=482). Three large carnivores i.e., grey wolf (Canis lupus), Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) and brown bear (Ursus arctos) were all regularly observed, though they belong to rare species in Poland and other neighbouring countries. The use of camera traps allowed us to distinguish lynx individuals and estimate the size of its local population. The European wildcat (Felis silvestris) which was not observed in GNP since the 90s, was surprisingly recorded by camera traps in 2015 and 2016. Additionally, we registered raccoon (Procyon lotor), an invasive alien species in Poland, which can pose a potential threat to local fauna. Similarly, domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) and cats (Felis catus) were free-ranging in GNP without any confinement and far from the nearest human settlements. The collected information helped to improve management and conservation measures by GNP. We showed that this non-invasive method is particularly useful for the monitoring of elusive and individually recognizable animal species.

Introduction:
Echinococcus multilocularis has been endemic in red foxes in eastern and central parts of Europe, and E. granulosus s. l. identified in wolves in some countries. In recent years, wolves hale emerged as potentially important definitive hosts of E. multilocularis.

Objective:
This aim of the survey was to record indirectly using nested-PCR test with faecal samples the presence of Echinococcus multilocularis and E. granulosus s. l. in the two species of wild canids in the protected area of the Tatra National Park (TNP) in Western Carpathian, southern mountainous part of Poland.

Material and methods:
From February to June 2019, experienced staff of TNP randomly collected fox and wolf faeces on and off hiking trails at altitudes from 850 m to 2,000 m above sea level. In total, 91 faecal samples from red foxes and 19 from wolves were collected. Genomic DNA was obtained by direct extraction from faecal samples using a commercial kit, and from taeniid eggs retrieved from the same samples after flotation.

Results:
A nested PCR screening of 91 red fox faeces indicated the prevalence of E. multilocularis of 4.4%. Positive samples were confirmed by sequencing parts of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene (cox1). Neither genomic DNA of E. multilocularis nor of E. granulosus s.l. was obtained from 19 wolves faeces, nor from taeniid eggs retrieved from these samples by initial flotation.

Conclusions:
The current results show that humans might be exposed to a risk of fox tapeworm infection in nature, even at high altitude inan alpine zone, in an environment contaminated by roaming red foxes encouraged by food leftovers on mountain trails.