Diets of wolves, Canis lupus, in logged and unlogged forests of southeastern Alaska

Abstract

Diets of Alexander Archipelago Wolves (Canis lupus ligoni) on Prince of Wales and adjacent islands, southeastern Alaska, were investigated from November 1992 to July 1994 to evaluate the effects of logging on the predator-prey communities. Of 182 feces analyzed, 90% of them contained remains of Sitka Black-tailed Deer (Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis), 31% contained remains of Beaver (Castor canadensis), followed by remains of River Otter (Lutra canadensis), Black Bear (Ursus americanus), small mustelids, and fish. Remains of deer occurred homogeneously throughout the year and over space. Remains of River Otter and small mustelids occurred exclusively in feces from Wolves inhabiting logged areas, whereas fish remains were more common in feces from Wolves inhabiting undisturbed areas. Small sample size and the effects of logging were suspected for the source of heterogeneity.