DNA metabarcoding reveals wolf dietary patterns in the northern Alps and Jura mountains

Understanding predator-prey interactions is crucial for wildlife
management and human-wildlife coexistence, particularly in multi-use
landscapes such as Western Europe. As wolves (Canis lupus) recolonize
their former habitats, knowledge of their diet is essential for
conservation planning and public acceptance. However, data from such
regions is so far scarce, in particular for the Alpine region and the Jura
Mountains.  As opportunistic hunters, wolves adapt their diet to
the local prey structure, suggesting that abundant wild ungulates are the
main prey source. We also expect diet composition to be influenced by
region, season, and social status. DNA metabarcoding has emerged as a
powerful tool in ecological research, offering high-resolution insights
into dietary composition, yet its application in carnivores remains
limited. Using a DNA metabarcoding approach, we analyzed 698 wolf scat
samples collected in Switzerland from 2017 to 2024. We found red deer
(Cervus elaphus) was the dominant prey in most areas, and together with
roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra),
accounted for 80.8% of the retrieved sequences. We found similarities in
prey selectivity between the Alps and the Jura Mountains, but found
significant differences across seasons and between pack and non-pack
wolves. This study provides the first detailed dietary analysis of wolves
in the Northern Alps and Jura Mountains, offering critical insights for
wildlife management. Our findings highlight the importance of wild
ungulates in wolf diet and underscore the value of non-invasive DNA
approaches as a reliable conservation and biomonitoring tool.