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Helping wolves in Bulgaria Wolf Study and Conservation Program When winter finally came there was good snow cover in the mountains. Our team managed to do some intensive snow tracking in both the Pirin Mountains.and the Kraishte area and data about the home-ranges of packs within the two study areas were completed. This winter, the pack (called by us Rabish pack), which inhabits a big part of our Pirin Mountains study area, consisted of 6 wolves. In the previous three years of studying these wolves there were 5 members in winter. In December 2005, we heard that hunters had managed to kill two wolves in an area which is part of that pack’s home-range. We assume those wolves had been members of this pack – the Rabish pack. Later we tracked six animals moving together, which means that the pack had had a successful breeding in spring 2005. In Kraishte, our team combined wolf-tracking with work on a new project for determining the presence of lynx implemented by our colleagues from the SEMPERVIVA Society. Unfortunately, during this winter hunters managed to kill a lot of wolves in the Kraishte area. Our team collected information and took measurements of the dead animals. Most of them were young born in 2005. The regular enquiries we conduct with local farmers were completed in both study areas for 2005. The results have not yet been analysed. Our two ambassador wolves are getting used to each other. While in the beginning, the female was quite aggressive towards Vucho, later (in January and February) we observed them together more often. In March, one of the shepherds of the SEMPERVIVA flock, observed a wolf near the enclosure. It was probably attracted by our female. In mid March we noticed that Vucho wasn’t interested in us any more - he was following the female everywhere. But within a couple of weeks, he was the same spoiled wolf again. They might have puppies in mid May. We would like to find a good home for the puppies (if we have any). Education materials for the Large Carnivore education centre are being designed and made. We are also making some advertising materials such as signs for the “Large Carnivore Education Centre” to be put on the main road in Kresna town. Also, information plates were made for the wolf and the bear enclosures and a brochure is being designed and printed. It will be distributed among schools to popularize the LC centre. Two local building companies are preparing offers for doing the refurbishment work on the LC center building. We need to get at least two different offers to be able to compare and chose the one which is better for us.
Prepared by: Elena Tsingarska - Sedefcheva (In November 2005 the Anglian Wolf Society sent £10,000 to the Balkan Wildlife Society to assist with refurbishment costs. It is estimated that this is about half what will eventually be needed but this donation puts Balkani in a stronger position to secure other funding to complete the project. The money we sent them came from you, the visitors and members, the people reading this newsletter. Thank you for your support.)
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