Wolf (Canis lupus) Predation in Pastoral Livestock Systems: Case Study in Croatia

The predation of livestock by gray wolf (Canis lupus; hereafter, wolf) is a problem throughout eastern Europe and poses threat to sustainable pasture-based production in some areas. In Croatia, farmers have alarmed the public with news frequent attacks last decade, wolves, as protected animals, are perceived pest threat. aim this study was analyze present frequency killed/injured domestic animals Croatia. During ten-year period (2010–2020), 13,359 attack events were reported, where it determined, certainty, that wolf. these attacks, 19,111 killed 4634 injured. Predation occurred predominantly (92.71%) three counties located southern Croatia (sub-Mediterranean Croatia), whose total area 11,170 km2 (19.74% Croatia). most frequently species sheep (64.78% all animals), which followed goats (19.28%) cattle (9.59%). highest recorded summer spring autumn, lowest winter. majority (79.57%) morning during day. animal average number per (1.64), (1.38), (0.99), horses (0.94), donkeys (0.95), guardian dogs (0.92). studied period, 11.72% goat population, 6.34% 5.61% population killed. Wolf sub-Mediterranean presents ruminants dominantly kept pastoral systems, additional efforts need be made achieve co-existence between farmers.