Wolf populations in Europe have made a big comeback, increasing by almost 60 percent in a single decade, according to a new study.<\/p>\n
Populations of large carnivores are declining globally, according to a press release from the Public Library of Science (PLOS). In Europe, however, recent conservation policies have supported wolf recovery.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe report that wolves are continuing to make a remarkable comeback across Europe, with their population growing to over 21,500 individuals by 2022 \u2013 a 58% increase in a decade,\u201d the authors of the findings wrote. \u201cThis is a notable conservation success, particularly in a region heavily shaped by human activity, from agriculture to urbanization. Improved monitoring methods have helped us track their recovery, although these tools vary in quality and extent across countries.\u201d<\/p>\n
A decade earlier, the estimated wolf population had been just 12,000.<\/p>\n
The study, \u201cContinuing recovery of wolves in Europe,\u201d was led by Cecilia Di Bernardi, a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Ecology at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), and Guillaume Chapron, an associate professor at SLU, and published in the journal PLOS Sustainability and Transformation.<\/p>\n
For the study, the research team used wolf population data from 34 European countries. In most, populations were increasing, with just three nations reporting declines in the previous decade.<\/p>\n
The team also examined sources of conflict between wolves and humans, such as livestock deaths. They estimated that wolves had killed 56,000 domestic animals annually in the European Union, out of a total of 279 million livestock.<\/p>\n
The researchers found that each year there was an average 0.02 percent chance of livestock being killed by wolves. Compensation to farmers resulted in a total yearly cost to countries of 17 million euros.<\/p>\n
However, a greater presence of wolves means less wild deer, which reduces damage to forestry plantations and traffic accidents.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor example, one study suggests that wolves consuming roe deer and wild boar prevented between 2.4 and 7.8 million EUR in road collision-related injuries and property damage annually in France. Other positive aspects include wildlife tourism and commercial activities that directly or indirectly benefit from large carnivore presence. However, potential economic benefits from wolf presence have been poorly investigated and quantified in Europe,\u201d the authors wrote.<\/p>\n
The scientists pointed out that, as conservationists move from saving endangered wolf populations to sustaining their successful recovery, it will be important to adapt policies to ensure that wolves and humans can coexist sustainably in the future.<\/p>\n
\u201cConsidering Europe\u2019s large human population and the widespread alteration of landscapes for agriculture, industry and urbanization, the rapid recovery of wolves over the last decade highlights their extraordinary adaptability,\u201d the press release said.<\/p>\n
This article<\/a> by Cristen Hemingway Jaynes was first published by EcoWatch on 21 March 2025. Lead Image: European gray wolves resting in a meadow in Germany. Andyworks \/ iStock \/ Getty Images Plus. Wildlife continues to face threats, which include hunting, poaching, illegal trade in animal products, habitat loss as well as a rapidly changing climate.<\/p>\n Become a Wildlife Champion today by supporting our conservation partners<\/a> with a monthly donation as little as $1.<\/p>\n
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