Some findings on the development of a wolf reproduction clan – Zoology by Vadim Sidorovich

In Naliboki Forest in May-June 2025 within an area of only about 140 km², we recorded three distinct wolf families (each with pups) living in exceptionally close proximity throughout the denning season. One of these families had two simultaneously breeding females (double-breeding), two of them had one litter each, while a separate group of four non-breeding adults and subadults lived there, ranging between the families.  We define this newly observed social structure during breeding season as a breeding clan.

We hypothesize that this exceptionally cooperative and intensive breeding behavior is underpinned by an unprecedented surplus supply with prey. The area has long been rich in red deer, roe deer, beaver and wild boar. But in recent years, a massive surplus of easily accessible prey (specifically around 300 tarpan-like horses and at least 800 sheep) has transformed the local foraging area. Wolves now take this prey with ease.

These wolves coexisted for three months with minimal signs of aggression.

I was very curious to see how the wolf breeding clan would develop. To investigate, I monitored activity signs and deployed up to 18 camera traps. Although the findings were limited, several interesting details emerged:

(1) In late July-August all pups from the four litters roamed either alone or in small groups of up to four, within a densely forested area of 8–12 square kilometers.

(2) All parents carried food into the pups’ area, seemingly feeding whichever pups they encountered, regardless of parentage.

(3) In early September, a farmer relocated a large sheep herd due to heavy losses from wolf predation. By mid-September, the wolves began forming two large groups, positioned on opposite sides of the horse locality.

(4) Each wolf group contained a random mix of pups originating from all parents.