The researchers tried to figure out if the absolute frequency of occurrence of wild boar in the wolf diet was influenced by the presence of other ungulates and by the available number of species. The wild boar is undoubtedly the main prey of the wolf (49% occurrence), followed closely by roe deer (24%) and by livestock in general (18%). The conclusions are as follows: the presence of wild boars in the wolf's diet tends to decrease with increasing predation of roe deer, cattle, chamois and deer.
In areas where wolves are present, reductions in wild boar through culling plans could shift predation to these alternatives, increasing conflict between wolves and anthropogenic activities. The good news, however, is that wolves prefer wild prey to livestock. According to this study, among other things, the reduction of wild boars beyond the 50-70% it would deprive the wolf of its main prey, helping to intensify the predation of roe deer, a huntable animal of great value, and of livestock.
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