What Has Contributed to the Remarkable Recovery of European Wolves in the Last Decade?

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The predators have increased by almost 60 percent on the continent

Olivia Ferrari

April 24, 2025 8:00 a.m.

Wolves have long captivated human imagination, finding their place in art and mythology across different cultures throughout history. The resurgence of European wolf populations has sparked both fascination and concern, as these formidable animals reclaim their presence in landscapes shared with humans. While outdoor enthusiasts may feel a twinge of excitement at the thought of spotting a wolf, farmers protecting their livestock often view these predators with alarm, leading to diverse reactions across society.

Data from a February study in PLOS Sustainability and Transformation indicates that between 2012 and 2022, the gray wolf population in Europe surged nearly 60 percent. This growth is intriguing given the global decline of large carnivores. European gray wolves (a subspecies of Canis lupus) are adapting to cohabitate with human populations in ways that reflect their resilience and adaptability.

The dramatic recovery of wolves is particularly notable considering their near extinction in parts of Europe during the 19th and 20th centuries. While sharing terrain with humans leads to conflicts — such as livestock predation — efforts to implement protective regulations and compensation measures for affected farmers have been effective strategies for fostering coexistence, as highlighted in the study.

According to Luigi Boitani, a co-author of the research and a leading expert on large carnivores, wolves demonstrate remarkable adaptability. They have thrived by consuming a diverse diet of available prey, from deer to domestic livestock. Boitani notes that in previous decades, wolves in Italy even survived by scavenging urban waste, underscoring their wide-ranging dietary habits. Instead of questioning their survival, he posits a more compelling inquiry: “Why not?”

The current landscape in the European Union, with a human population of approximately 450 million, creates unique challenges and opportunities for wolf populations. On average, there may be as many as 95 humans per square mile within wolf ranges. Despite this urban pressure, wolves find refuge primarily in mountainous and rural areas where human interaction can be managed. This complex dynamic raises the necessity for a delicate balance between human activity and wildlife preservation.

Boitani suggests that the notable recovery of European wolves must be understood in the context of human acceptance and management of inevitable wildlife encounters. “You have to be willing to coexist,” he emphasizes, highlighting that such tolerance is vital for continued wolf resurgence.

“Watching the recovery of the European wolf population has been nothing short of remarkable,” remarks Grant Spickelmier, executive director of the International Wolf Center. Spickelmier notes that as long as wolves have adequate prey and habitat, coupled with a degree of tolerance from local communities, they can thrive. Conservation initiatives have played a role in increasing prey species, such as deer and wild boar, which support healthy wolf populations.

Research conducted for this study encompassed data from 34 European countries, analyzing wolf numbers and conservation frameworks from the past decade. The results are encouraging: in 2022, Europe was home to at least 21,500 wolves, including about 19,000 in the E.U. This represents a stunning 58 percent increase compared to an estimated 12,000 a decade earlier. Most countries reported positive growth in their wolf populations, which now inhabit nearly all mainland European regions, with notable omissions of only a few small nations.

Specific countries have observed dramatic increases; for instance, Germany’s wolf population has surged from a single pack in 2000 to 184 packs recorded in recent evaluations. The reunification of East and West Germany in 1990 played a crucial role in this resurgence, as unified legal protections allowed wolves to recover in areas where they were previously hunted.

Contrarily, conflicts between wolves and farmers often spur calls for wolf culling, leading to illegal killings despite protective legislation across much of Europe. The study reported that wolves caused the loss of approximately 56,000 livestock annually in the E.U., out of a significant population of 279 million. While this may seem striking, Boitani contextualizes the issue by noting that it constitutes only about 0.02 percent of the total livestock, suggesting that the economic impact is limited overall, yet the individual farmer may feel acute financial loss.

To mitigate human-wolf conflicts, several European nations have implemented compensation schemes for farmers experiencing livestock losses. Annually, about €17 million (over $19 million) is allocated for these compensatory measures, with France being the highest contributor. Despite varying practices concerning preventive measures like electric fencing and guard dogs, some programs receive governmental backing to promote coexistence and reduce wildlife-related losses.

Legal protections for wolves are paramount in their recovery journey. Under the Bern Convention, established in 1979, strict safeguards were put in place, requiring specific permissions to legally cull wolves. Recent changes, however, are shifting this paradigm: as of March 2025, most European nations downlisted wolves, allowing for more flexible management strategies, including population culling under certain conditions.

With the potential for wolf populations to expand further, managing these ecosystems becomes increasingly essential. Håkan Sand, an ecologist, emphasizes the importance of maintaining a balance between new management strategies and conservation efforts to ensure the long-term survival of these iconic predators. Regardless of the downlisting, Boitani reiterates that legal frameworks stipulate governments must maintain “favorable conservation status” for wolf populations, suggesting their ecological viability should not be jeopardized.

In ecosystems, a healthy wolf population can dictate the balance between prey species, leading to a ripple effect that sustains biodiversity across habitats. The ongoing challenge for conservationists lies in developing policies that support the dual goals of human and wolf coexistence as the latter continue to expand their territories.

Despite historical stigmas and fears surrounding wolves, actual attacks on humans are exceedingly rare in Europe, with no fatalities recorded in the past 40 years. Misinformation perpetuated through media can obstruct public perception, highlighting the necessity for educational initiatives to gradually reshape attitudes towards these majestic creatures.

Controversy over wolf management often transcends scientific discourse, entwining with broader social issues, including conflicts between urban interests and rural livelihoods. Spickelmier notes that emotional responses towards wolves, positive or negative, are common on both sides of the Atlantic. He advocates for educational efforts to ground wildlife management decisions in scientific evidence rather than emotion-driven narratives. Additionally, fostering communication among stakeholders brings together diverse perspectives to collaboratively navigate the complexities of wildlife management.

Ultimately, the survival of wolves hinges on societal readiness to endure some of the challenges they present while appreciating their ecological importance. As policies evolve, finding the right balance to enable healthy wolf populations within shared landscapes will remain a pivotal aspect of future wildlife management.

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