Wildlife

Wolf Welfare and Coexistence in Europe

Wolf populations are recovering across Europe, creating both welfare opportunities and management challenges around human-wildlife coexistence.

Key Facts

Wolf populations in Europe have grown from under 1,000 in the 1980s to over 20,000 today
Wolves face welfare risks from illegal killing, vehicle collisions, and intrapack conflict
Livestock predation by wolves creates human-wildlife conflict with welfare implications for both livestock and wolves
Depredation compensation schemes reduce conflict and illegal persecution of wolves
Wolf welfare is affected by pack structure, territory size, and prey availability

Welfare Considerations

Wolf welfare in recovering European populations is affected by persecution, habitat availability, and human-wildlife conflict. Wolves shot illegally, caught in snares set for other species, or killed in vehicle collisions suffer significant welfare harm. Supporting coexistence through compensation schemes, livestock protection measures, and public engagement reduces conflict and improves outcomes for individual wolves.

What You Can Do

Support compensation schemes for farmers affected by wolf predation
Advocate for protection measures including livestock guardian dogs and fencing
Report suspected illegal wolf killing to authorities and conservation organisations
Support coexistence education programs in areas with recovering wolf populations
Follow and engage with wolf management consultations in your country or region