Examining the animal welfare dimensions of wolf reintroduction programmes — for the wolves themselves, prey species, and livestock — beyond the ecological focus.
Wolf reintroduction is primarily framed as an ecological and conservation issue, but welfare dimensions deserve equal attention. For the wolves themselves, translocation involves significant stress: capture, handling, transport, and release into unfamiliar territory with established packs create acute and potentially chronic welfare challenges. Post-release monitoring for injury and health is vital. For prey species, wolves can act as a welfare-positive force by selectively removing diseased or weakened animals and reducing population-level disease. For livestock, chronic fear stress from wolf presence — even without direct predation — affects feed intake, reproduction, and welfare. Non-lethal deterrents (guardian dogs, fladry, secure night housing) protect livestock while allowing wolves to persist, but their welfare implications also need consideration.