The number of wolf packs in Germany has risen significantly. In meantime re were 60 in Germany, which were 13 more than in 2015/2016 season, Federal Office for Nature Conservation shared. There are still 13 wolf pairs and three wolves living alone.

The office is based on data from federal Documentation and Counseling office on wolf. This is observed every year between beginning of May and end of April of following year herd and spread of wolves in Germany. The measurements show: wolves are spreading furr. In past seven federal states, y are now native. Most of m live in Brandenburg and Saxony.

How many wolves live exactly in one of se packs is different. It is refore difficult to determine how many individuals re are in Germany in total. The observatory estimates that re are currently 150 to 160 adult animals. In previous year, it still estimated stock to be about 140 animals.

Road traffic endangers Wolves

About 150 years ago, wolves in Germany were extinct. Only in year 2000 a few from Poland first emigrated again.

Beate Jessel, president of Federal Office for Nature Conservation, was delighted with increase in wolf packs. Neverless, she showed concern for animals. Especially road traffic endangers wolf population, since return of wolf, 140 animals were killed by traffic accidents.

Wolf territories in Germany Source: DBBW, stand 2016/2017 time online

Illegal killings are also a "major problem". Since 2000, 26 wolves have been killed. The rising population also leads to more conflicts: more wolves in Germany are looking for food, more dangerous it is for livestock. In period between 2015 and 2016, Wolves attacked livestock in about 200 cases – around 700 animals were killed. Where wolf appears, re are first resistances in population. Many fear for ir domestic or farm animals. So re are some wolf opponents who demand shooting of animals. But this is not possible, wolf is strictly protected.

The quarrel between animal friends and wolf opponents was even a topic in electoral campaign in lower axes. The parties argued wher wolf population is now large enough to possibly loosen protection status. Farmers and shepherds as well as CDU demanded an upper limit for wolves, which should also be enforced with kills. The SPD and Greens were in favour of having only so-called problem packs released for launch. These are wolf groups that regularly skip protective fences from livestock holders. In coalition agreement between SPD and CDU, firing of wolves was no longer an issue. The two parties only agreed that farmers and shepherds should be compensated more quickly if ir animals were damaged by attacks by wolves.

Date Of Update: 23 November 2017, 12:03