Inventering av varg vintern 2018–2019

Monitoring goals and methods: Wolves in Sweden and Norway are members of a joint cross-boundary Scandinavian wolf population. In both countries, the wolf population is being monitored each winter. The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency and the Norwegian Environment Agency have joint Scandinavian guidelines and instructions for monitoring of wolves; these guidelines have been used since winter 2014-2015. Numbers, distribution and trends in the wolf population in Scandinavia are primarily determined through a survey of family groups, scent-marking pairs and reproductions during 1 October - 31 March. The survey of wolves is done mainly through snow-tracking and DNA-analyses of scats, urine and hair. Information from GPS-collars, other research data and dead wolves are used when available. The County Administrative Boards in Sweden and the Norwegian Nature Inspectorate (SNO) together with Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences in Norway are responsible for collecting field data. They also confirm reports of tracks and other observations by the public. For the wolf monitoring, contributions from the public are very important. Number of family groups and scent-marking pairs: During winter 2018-2019, 40 family groups were documented in Scandinavia; 28 within Sweden, six across the Norwegian-Swedish border and six within Norway. 28 territorial pairs were confirmed; 18 within Sweden, five across the border and five within Norway. Population size: Using the same method as last winter and based on the number of reproductions, Scandinavian wolf numbers were estimated to 380 (95% CI = 300-494). The Swedish sub-population was estimated to 300 wolves (95% CI = 237-390), including half of the cross-boundry wolves. The calculation includes both alive and dead wolves during the monitoring period. The smaller Norwegian population was counted directly in the field. Including half of the 40-41 cross-boundary wolves, a total of 84-87 wolves were counted in Norway. Genetics: One previously known Finnish-Russian female wolf was still resident within the populations breeding range (Örebro County), where she raised a F1-litter of pups born in 2018. Three new Finnish-Russian immigrant wolves were confirmed in Scandinavia, all outside the breeding range. Two during autumn 2018 in Northern Norway (Finnmark County) and one during spring 2019 in Northern Sweden (Norrbotten County). In addition, 12 older F1 offspring from five known FinnishRussian immigrants were confirmed in Scandinavia, including five F1 as scent-marking adults in family groups or pairs. The estimated average inbreeding coefficient in family groups was 0.25 this winter, a slight increase compared to last years monitoring season.