Continuing recovery of wolves in Europe

Cecilia Di Bernardi; Guillaume Chapron; Petra Kaczensky; Francisco Álvares; Henrik Andrén; Vaidas Balys; Juan Carlos Blanco; Silviu Chiriac; Duško Cirovic; Nolwenn Drouet-Hoguet; Djuro Huber; Yorgos Iliopoulos; Ilpo Kojola; Miha Krofel; Miroslav Kutal; John D. C. Linnell; Aleksandra; Aleksandra Majic Skrbinšek; Peep Männil; Francesca Marucco; Dime Melovski; Deniz Mengüllüoclu; Joachim Mergeay; Robert W. Myscajek; Sabina Nowak; Janis Ozolinš; Nathan Ranc; Ilka Reinhardt; Robin Rigg; Valeria Salvatori; Laurent Schley; Peter Sunde; Aleksandër Trajçe; Igor Trbojevic; Arie Trouwborst; Manuela von Arx; Diana Zlatanova; Luigi Boitani

doi:10.1371/journal.pstr.0000158

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Title (eng)

Continuing recovery of wolves in Europe

Author

Cecilia Di Bernardi

Guillaume Chapron

Petra Kaczensky

University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna

Francisco Álvares

Henrik Andrén

Vaidas Balys

Juan Carlos Blanco

Silviu Chiriac

Duško Cirovic

Nolwenn Drouet-Hoguet

Djuro Huber

Yorgos Iliopoulos

Ilpo Kojola

Miha Krofel

Miroslav Kutal

John D. C. Linnell

Aleksandra

Aleksandra Majic Skrbinšek

Peep Männil

Francesca Marucco

Dime Melovski

Deniz Mengüllüoclu

Joachim Mergeay

Robert W. Myscajek

Sabina Nowak

Janis Ozolinš

Nathan Ranc

Ilka Reinhardt

Robin Rigg

Valeria Salvatori

Laurent Schley

Peter Sunde

Aleksandër Trajçe

Igor Trbojevic

Arie Trouwborst

Manuela von Arx

Diana Zlatanova

Luigi Boitani

Abstract (eng)

The recovery of wolves (Canis lupus) across Europe is a notable conservation success in a region with extensive human alteration of landscapes and high human population densities. We provide a comprehensive update on wolf populations in Europe, estimated at over 21,500 individuals by 2022, representing a 58% increase over the past decade. Despite the challenges of high human densities and significant land use for agriculture, industry, and urbanization, wolves have demonstrated remarkable adaptability and increasing population trends in most European countries. Improved monitoring techniques, although varying in quality and scope, have played a crucial role in tracking this recovery. Annually, wolves kill approximately 56,000 domestic animals in the EU, a risk unevenly distributed and differently handled across regions. Damage compensation costs 17 million EUR every year to European countries. Positive economic impacts from wolf presence, such as those related to reducing traffic accidents with wild ungulates or supporting wildlife tourism, remain under studied. Wolf recovery in Europe is supported by diverse policy and legal instruments such as LIFE programs, stakeholder platforms, as well as the EU Habitats Directive and the Bern Convention. Coexisting with newly established wolf populations in Europe entails managing impacts on human activities, including livestock depredation, competition for game, and fear of attacks on humans, amidst varying social and political views on wolf recovery. Sustainable coexistence continues to operate in evolving and complex social, economic, and political landscapes, often characterized by intense debates regarding wolf policies.

Keywords (eng)

Large CarnivoresWolfLawConservationManagementPredatorsReturnLynxBear

Type (eng)

journal article

Language

[eng]

Persistent identifier

https://phaidra.vetmeduni.ac.at/o:4160

DOI

10.1371/journal.pstr.0000158

Is in series

Title (eng)