Summary:

This paper presented the wolf return observation results in the Bydgoszcz Forest carried out in the years 1999-2009. The analysis conducted relate to among others the abundance of wolf population and its mortality; changes in the abundance of species forming the underlying basis of food for this predator, i.e. deer, roe deer and wild boar. These data were analyzed in conjunction with the annual plans of the hunting association. Study was complemented by pilot survey on the views of foresters and hunters in the phenomenon of re-population of Bydgoszcz Forest by wolves. The results showed that wolves have returned to Bydgoszcz in autumn 2004. and successfully adapted to the conditions prevailing there. At present, the forest exists at least one sounder of 7-9 individuals, which in summer is divided into several smaller ones. Predators probably reached the Bydgoszcz Forest from Bialowieza Primeval Forest by the north-central corridor. Results of 10 years of observation suggest that the appearance of the wolf did not affect the abundance of large herbivores inhabiting here. In recent years there has even increased the number of red deer, roe deer and wild boar. This phenomenon is explained by the introduction of more accurate method of conducting an inventory of animals and cost-economy run by hunting association. The cause of death of wolves was 100% road accidents (4 cases). They should be regarded as the greatest threat to the stability of the new wolf populations. 69% of surveyed hunters and foresters found wolf presence of an undesirable element of ecosystems. 68% admitted that they have a positive impact on reducing damage to forests from fallow deer.