Population Density and Spatial–Temporal Activity Pattern of the Tibetan Wolf in Dulan, Qinghai, China

As apex predators, wolves (<i>Canis lupus</i>) play a vital role in balancing and stabilizing ecosystems. However, the scarcity of empirical data on the population size and spatial ecology of wolves in Qinghai Province, China, poses significant challenges to the design of targeted conservation measures, with cascading effects on both regional ecosystem integrity and the long-term viability of this ecologically critical species. To address this knowledge gap, we deployed a systematic grid of 150 camera traps across Dulan County, Qinghai Province, from July 2021 to July 2022. The survey effort totaled 41,610 camera-days, yielding 392 independent wolf detections, defined as events separated by ≥24 h at the same location. The random encounter model estimated wolf density across three habitat types in Dulan County as follows: alpine meadows (4.87 ± 0.87 individuals/100 km²), bare rock areas (21.39 ± 3.79 individuals/100 km²), and alpine shrub (7.81 ± 1.31 individuals/100 km²). Wolves exhibited significant habitat selection (χ² = 23.6, <i>p</i> < 0.001), with 78% of detections occurring in alpine meadows and bare rocks at elevations of 4200-4300 m. The total wolf population was estimated to range from 2137 to 9169 individuals. Kernel density estimation (KDE) revealed a diurnal activity rhythm in wolves with minimal seasonal variation (Δ₄ = 0.88). Peak activity intensity occurred between 8:00 and 15:00, and 17:00 and 21:00, during the cold season, and between 10:00 and 15:00, and 18:00-22:00, in the warm season. The study provides a scientific basis for more effective management and conservation, enhancing understanding of wolf populations in Qinghai and peripheral regions.