Wolf-dog hybrids in Belarus: identification and rate estimation

In Belarus, the wolf is classified as an unregulated hunting species, and hunting is permitted throughout the year. For many years, the wolf population has been under hunting pressure, yet a moderate proportion persists. However, the disruption of the territorial and sexual structure of the wolf population in the context of a high numbers of stray dogs and free-ranging dogs, can lead to a number of negative consequences, one of which is hybridization. The paper presents the results of molecular genetic identification of wolf-dog hybrids based on STR analysis and the first data on the prevalence of such animals in Belarus. The obtained data confirm the presence of hybridization of wolves with stray dogs in Belarus, while no data are shown on any geographical conditionality or the concentration of hybrid individuals in the regions of the country.