Kojola, I., Ronkainen, S., Hakala, A., Heikkinen, S. & Kokko, S. 2004: Interactions between wolves Canis lupus and dogs C. familiaris in Finland. - Wildl. Biol. 10: 101-105.
We examined wolf Canis lupus attacks on domestic dogs C. familiaris in six Finnish wolf territories occupied by mated pairs and packs. Most incidents (76%, N = 21 confirmed cases) took place inside one territory. The wolves mostly (70%) attacked dogs in house yards. It appeared that wolves in the territory were actively seeking for dogs rather than killing them as a result of random encounters. A strong tendency to attack dogs seemed to be adopted by pups born to the wolf pack. We did not find evidence that the density of primary prey or resident dogs were associated with the risk of wolf attacks.
Key words: Canis familiaris, Canis lupus, domestic dog, Finland, interaction, wolf
Ilpo Kojola, Antero Hakala & Samuli Heikkinen, Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute, Oulu Game and Fisheries Research, Tutkijantie 2 A, FIN-90570 Oulu, Finland - e-mail addresses: ilpo.kojola@rktl.fi (Ilpo Kojola); anterovk.hakala@pp.inet.fi (Antero Hakala); samuli.heikkinen@rktl.fi (Samuli Heikkinen)
Seppo Ronkainen & Sanna Kokko, Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute, Taivalkoski Game and Fisheries Research, Ohtaojantie 19, FIN-93400 Taivalkoski, Finland - e-mail addresses: seppo.ronkainen@pp5.inet.fi (Seppo Ronkainen); sanna.kokko@hytti.uku.fi (Sanna Kokko)
Corresponding author: Ilpo Kojola
Received 14 October 2002, accepted 19 May 2003
Associate Editor: John D.C. Linnell