Search

Wolf activity varies considerably among differentstudies that explained activity patterns by factors suchas human activity, breeding status or prey availability(Fancy and Ballard 1995; Vila` et al. 1995; Ciucci et al.1997; Theuerkauf et al. 2003; Kusak et al. 2005; Chavezand Gese 2006; Theuerkauf et al. 2007). However, it islikely that the high variability of wolf activity patterns isa result of their ability to react to various environmentalconditions (Packard 2003). Activity of individual wolvesmay also vary among days, switching from being diurnalto nocturnal. The purpose of our study was to examinethe variability of wolf activity between days and seasonsand to determine the most important factors thatinfluence activity in the Bieszczady Mountains, Poland.The study was conducted in the Bieszczady Moun-tains (Polish Carpathians) over an area of about1000km

We studied the activity and movements of a male and a female wolf during breeding in the Bieszczady Mountains, Poland. The female was less active and mobile and on average closer to the den than the male. The male was less active and mobile when the pack size was seven compared to a year when the pack consisted only of the breeding pair. We conclude that the roles played by breeding males and females rearing pups influence their activity, and that breeding males in larger packs move less during the nursing period because of help by other pack members.