BODY PARAMETERS AND HEALTH STATUS OF HUNTED WOLVES IN THE TERRITORY OF LITHUANIA

Abstract

During the study, the parameters of morphophysiological bioindicators of wolves hunted in the territory of Lithuania during the 2018–2019 to 2023–2024 hunting seasons were determined and analyzed. The skulls of the hunted wolves were measured using calipers, and their bodies were weighed. Body injuries and infestation with mange mites were recorded.

The data analysis revealed that the skull parameters of the hunted wolves differed significantly depending on sex. In many cases, skull length and width parameters within the same age group showed only slight overlap—or no overlap at all—between males and females. Most wolves had standard body weights according to sex and age group. Adult males weighed on average 45 kg, while females weighed 34 kg. Most juvenile males and females weighed between 26 and 30 kg.

Various body injuries were found in 4.2% of all hunted wolves. The most common injuries affected the forelimbs and hind limbs. Among the hunted wolves, 16.4% showed signs of infestation with mange mites; however, this infestation was not evenly distributed across the country. Wolves infected with mange mites were most frequently hunted in the Vilnius district (42.5%), Zarasai district (40.0%), Kaunas district (37.5%), and Ignalina district municipality (35.1%). Throughout the entire study period (2018–2019 to 2023–2024), not a single case of rabies virus infection in wolves was recorded.