DIET OF WOLVES IN THE BIESZCZADY MOUNTAINS, POLAND

The diet of wolves Canis lupus Linnaeus, 1758 was studied from October 1989 to November 1992 in the Bieszczady Mountains, southeastern Polan d. A total of 221 wolf scats were collected and analyzed to determine the prey species consumed by wolves in each season. Cervids (red and r oe deer) obviously predominated in wolf diet and consisted from 65% of winter biomass to 96% of summer biomass consumed. The red deer made u p approximately 95% and roe deer only 5% of total cervid biomass consu med. During summer deer fawns made up 28% of total cervid biomass cons umed. The wild boar constituted more significant food only during wint er - 17% of biomass eaten. Among wild boars, piglets were selected and made up 66% of total wild boar biomass consumed during winter. Domest ic livestock represented more significant food in winter (16% of bioma ss eaten) and was consumed as carrion laid out by hunters to bait wolv es. Other food categories as hares, voles and insectivores played a ne gligible part in the wolf diet. Spring, summer and autumn diet were li ttle diversified. Only winter diet differed significantly from other s easons for the presence of wild boar and cervids.