As the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) announced on Monday, a total of 161 wolf packs, 43 pairs and 21 individuals were found sedentary in Germany in 2021 and 2022. This corresponds to an increase in areas of almost five percent. As a result, the growth of the wolf population has slowed significantly, as was already expected in recent years.
Lev Miller, Federal Director General of Naboo
“The exponential or even often uncontrolled growth of the wolf population in Germany does not exist, as new figures from the BfN show. According to information from the federal states, there are now 61 confirmed wolves in Brandenburg instead of 59 the year before, some with pairs instead of of packs. In Lower Saxony, the number of regions increased from 45 to 49.”
Since there are still many areas where wolves can find a suitable habitat, NABU assumes that there will gradually be more new areas in the coming years. In areas such as Upper Lusatia, where packs have been coexisting with each other for years, there is hardly any suitable, free habitat available.
Naboo wolf expert Marie Neuwald
“We see a high level of dynamics there, and sometimes traditional packs get kicked out by other wolves.” In the last observation year, three new packets were added in Upper Lusatia, but five packets can no longer be detected. Due to the territorial nature of wolves, not many will live in small areas. The land area in Germany is about 150 to 250 square kilometers and is inhabited by only one pack, an average of eight wolves.
Neuwald criticizes, “It is often claimed that hunting wolves helps protect the pack.” “But the truth is: Once a wolf is in an area, the grazing animals must be protected, because even a lone wolf can cause harm. Hunting does not teach the wolves to stay away from the grazing animals. This can only be achieved by protecting the livestock with electric fences or – Where appropriate – livestock guard dogs. The promotion of herd protection should not be limited to purchasing, running costs are particularly important. Wolves that have already overcome the good protection of the pack can be killed as a last resort. “The legal requirements for this have already been established, so there is no need to include it in the hunting law. This will only complicate withdrawals due to more bureaucracy,” Neuwald says.
NABU calls on the federal and state governments to standardize crack documentation and make available access to statistics
The type and age of the affected animal as well as the protection status of the herd should be found in crack tables. The only indication of cracks in the year indicates that livestock protection is futile. However, in 2021, for example in Lower Saxony, approximately 73 percent of tears on sheep occurred on insufficient or unprotected pastures.
With over 875,000 members and sponsors, NABU, founded in 1899, is the oldest environmental association in Germany and has the largest number of members. NABU is committed to the conservation of habitat and species diversity, climate protection, and sustainable agriculture, forestry, and water management. NABU inspires enthusiasm for nature and enhances knowledge of natural history for an active nature experience. More information: www.NABU.de/wir-ueber-uns