Monitoring of Iberian Wolf expansion in Sabugal – Malcata Region
Scholarship Fundação Amadeu Dias/Universidade de Lisboa
André Pinto da Silva
2008/2009
Discussion
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Evidence of the wolf occurrence in Sabugal wind farm was only detected in transect 10, with one wolf scat and two wolf snow tracks founded, although the scat genetic analyze is not yet concluded, reason why is not possible to confirm the presence of wolf. Due to these signs is probable the occasionally occurrence of this predator in the study area but note that in eight months of monitoring only were detected two scats not confirmed. Being present in this zone, the species will probably occur in a low density since it is not detected by population in general and probably will have a tendency to avoid the wind farm area, for the reason that was verified some human circulation, a consequence of aerogenerators implementation. It was also noted some car circulation for off road activities and to visit a new observation point created in wind farm. All these activities create disturbance, in addition to that generated by the aerogenerators and will probably create an effect of repulse on wolves, as in all the fauna. Is important to refer that with the probable low density that this predator occur in this region, the marking of territory can be less intense, since this behavior is used for avoid conflicts and delimit the area of one wolf patch, behavior that in this hypothetical situation is not so necessary. If this occur, transects methodology for detect wolves signs may not be efficient as in a normal situation, not permitting to detect the real use of this area. To difficult this process the main soil in the study area is very rocky, not allowing find wolf tracks easily in the absence of snow, one limitation to the application of transects methodology.
Inquires results confirm an accentuated decrease of wolf presence in this region after 1990 being in agreement with Cândido (2000) that points the eighties for the strong disappearance of Iberian wolf in this area. References of the wolf in the last five years may indicate an increase of density, although is important have the notion that latest livestock damages are more fresh in people memories, and that in some inquires people mentioned the presence of wild dogs that can also attack livestock. This datum not allow input all the damages in wolves but in the mean time four attacks were confirmed by the Nature and biodiversity Conservation Institute, and the observation of one wolf crossing the national road not very distant from the area where occurred the livestock damages. It is also an area, not very distant from where in April 2000 was founded one young male was hit by a car in El bodon village, Spain. Thus these data, seems belong to the Sabugal patch, a group that possibly occupies the region between Nave de Haver, Alfaiates and Fuenteguinaldo village and that is classified as probable in Pimenta, V. (2005) but distant from the wind farm area.
Colónia-Agricola information is near the Malcata reserve border and is inserting on other area where presence of wolf is also considered as probable by the same author. Thereby it seems that information collected corresponds to two different situations and like in last wolf National Census, the area of Malcata Reserve shows less references of activity, strengthening the idea that prevails in a more precarious state, comparing with the Sabugal patch.
Nevertheless do not exist a concrete and recent proof of Iberian wolf presence in any of these areas and since both of them are near the border, wolves could occupy this area and having a connection with a possible Spanish group, unfortunately the inexistence of data from Spain did not allow to have more references to help locate these groups. The presence of the species is for this reason considered as irregular.
The habitat in this area appears to have suitability to the species, but the numbers of wolves that arrive to this area have to be higher due to the existent barriers. Wild boar and roe deer seems occur in the area and the data collected point to an increase of roe deer abundance since it is increasingly seen by the population. If this scenario is correct this could be an important fact for wolf recovery in this region, allowing the settlement of wolves in movements of dispersion coming from other areas. These individuals could establish in unoccupied zones and consequently reinforce the genetic pool in Sabugal – Malcata region.
Ours objectives were achieved but we suggest application of other methodologies as camera traps with movement and temperature sensor cameras in locals where the data were collected and where livestock damages occurred. Also to confirm the wolf presence in this region is necessary to invest in methods like howling simulation and waiting stations, especially after the breeding season when the number of individuals is greater, if reproduction occurs, and would be important to have a monthly contact with the Nature an biodiversity Conservation Institute park wanders to optimize the use of the mentioned methods.
It would also be appropriate cooperation with the responsible Spanish authorities, to complement the Portuguese data.
