New Study Reveals Wolves’ Diet in the Netherlands: Wild Prey and Conservation Cattle.

A recent study examining wolf droppings across the Netherlands provides fresh insights into the dietary habits of wolves in 2023, revealing a diet dominated by wild animals but supplemented by grazing cattle in areas with limited prey availability. Conducted by Leiden University’s Center for Environmental Sciences, the Leo Foundation, the University of Antwerp, and the Dutch Mammal Society, this research offers the first objective nationwide data on what wolves consume.

In the Veluwe region, the main prey species identified were wild boar, found in 62% of analyzed samples, followed by roe deer at 56%, and red deer at 32%. In contrast, in Drenthe—where wild hoofed animals are scarce due to a zero-population policy for red deer, fallow deer, and wild boar—wolves primarily fed on roe deer (63% of samples) but also consumed a notable amount of free-ranging conservation cattle (43%) and some sheep (10%). These cattle, including breeds such as Galloway and Sayaguesa, graze freely in nature reserves and have long lived without predators, making them especially vulnerable to wolf predation.

The study analyzed a total of 735 wolf droppings, combining DNA testing with microscopic examination of hair, bone fragments, and other remains to determine prey species. Researchers observed clear regional and seasonal differences in diet, with wolves consuming more young wild boar and deer calves between April and June—coinciding with the period when both wolves and their prey are raising offspring. Kevin Groen, a Leiden University researcher involved in the study, described wolves as highly adaptable opportunists, pointing out that sheep made up a small percentage of their diet—5% in Veluwe compared to 10% in Drenthe.

While the research confirms the wolves’ reliance on wild prey, the relatively high share of conservation cattle in Drenthe’s wolf diet is particularly striking. The study does not clarify whether wolves actively hunt these cattle or scavenge carcasses, leaving room for further investigation.

This ongoing study, set to continue until at least the end of 2025, aims to provide scientific evidence to guide public discussions and inform policies related to wolf management in the Netherlands. The researchers hope their findings will contribute to fostering peaceful coexistence between humans and wolves by offering a clearer understanding of wolf behavior and ecological impact.

Source:https://phys.org/news/2025-05-wolves-netherlands-wild-animals-grazing.html

This is non-financial/medical advice and made using AI so could be wrong.