Wolves Successfully Reestablish Their Presence in Europe

Recent research indicates a significant resurgence of wolf populations across Europe, with an estimated 21,500 wolves inhabiting the continent as of 2022. This figure represents a remarkable increase of 58% compared to a decade ago. While Austria's wolf population has also seen growth, it remains relatively small with approximately 100 individuals, especially when compared to countries like Germany and Italy, where wolf numbers exceed a thousand.

The study, led by a team from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, analyzed monitoring reports and expert estimates from 34 European countries, revealing that within the EU, there are roughly 19,000 wolves cohabiting with 279 million livestock and 449 million humans. Austria is classified among the nations with a lower density of wolves, alongside Hungary and Belgium.

In the last ten years, wolf populations have risen in 19 nations, including Austria, the Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, and Switzerland. Conversely, populations have declined in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and North Macedonia, with other countries experiencing stable or fluctuating wolf numbers.

Despite concerns regarding livestock safety, experts report that the risk of wolves attacking farm animals remains minimal, estimated at just 0.2 per mille across Europe. Annually, around EUR17 million is allocated to compensate farmers for livestock losses caused by wolves, primarily affecting free-ranging sheep and goats. Interestingly, this financial burden is somewhat offset by the benefits of having wolves in the ecosystem, such as reduced traffic accidents and lower browsing rates on forest plantations due to natural predator regulation of deer populations.

The authors of the study posit that while the return of wolves can yield ecological benefits, its success relies on effective herd protection strategies to mitigate livestock losses. The findings suggest that the adaptability of wolves allows them to reintegrate into European agricultural landscapes, provided that conducive conditions are established.

However, concerns have been raised regarding Austria's policies on wolf culling, which may hinder the establishment of stable wolf packs in the Alps. The study indicates that many of the wolves identified in Austria are transient individuals rather than members of established packs. The stagnation of pack numbers in the region raises questions about the long-term sustainability of wolf populations in the area.

Overall, the resurgence of wolves in Europe underscores the importance of balanced wildlife management and the need for sustainable coexistence strategies between humans and wildlife.