Discussion

We observed a significant increase of mean group size, maximum group size and a significant decrease of solitary individuals’ detection with progressive years.

We saw that this increase was not linked to possible confoundings variables (i.e. population variables, food availabity and dispersion, culling)

We also linked this increase to areas with a higher wolf activity (RAI_wolf).

We observed as well a significant increase of the occurence of groups compared to solitary detections in our wild boar population with progressive years, and a decrease thoughtout the season. This ratio going up either means that solitary individuals gets more predated on, or that usually solitary individuals form groups. The decrease along the season could be explained by small groups becoming solitary individuals due to predation or other causes of mortality.

We can conclude that the group size increase is probably due to the predator’s presence.