After a long period of absence, the wolf (Canis lupus) has made its comeback in Flanders, Belgium. Nevertheless, the proximity of a top predator in a human-dominated landscape could lead to a variety of conflicts, e.g. attacks on livestock and competition with hunters. This research describes the diet of the first settled wolves in Flanders in order to avoid misconception regarding this topic. From 2018 to 2021, 140 wolf scats were collected within the only wolf territory in Flanders. Prey species identification was based on hair features, and bone and tooth remains. Results are expressed as the frequency of occurrence of prey species relative to the total number of scats (=FO). Wild ungulates represented the largest part of the diet (FO=90.0), with roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) (FO=69.3) and wild boar (Sus scrofa) (FO=22.9) as the main prey species of this category. Overall consumption of livestock was limited (FO=12.9), but raised to 47.1 FO in autumn 2020. We believe that this phenomenon is explained by the presence of the first developing young which are not yet able to hunt, but still need to be fed. The large availability of unprotected livestock in the study area was therefore an easy and attractive alternative in case of higher energetic needs. Although the overall results indicate a rich wild prey base, this study addresses the necessity to further implement protective measures to prevent livestock predation. By the end of 2018, only 4 of randomly chosen pastures within a definedrisk area were sufficiently protected.
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