Wolves in Baden-Württemberg
Paving the way for a return
On their migrations, wolves can cover long distances.
© Joachim FlachsAfter being extinct in Germany for more than 150 years, the wolf is gradually making a return to its old territories. Since 2015, there have been repeated wolf sightings in the German federal state of Baden-Württemberg; according to the most recent data (February 2023), four single animal (three males and one female) permanently living there. Wolves can find their way to Baden-Württemberg from the north and east of Germany, as well as from the Italian-French Alps. Young wolves often travel many hundreds of kilometres In search of new territories. Due to the long absence of large predators, people in the south-west of Germany are unaccustomed to living alongside wolves. In order to ensure a peaceful coexistence between wolves and humans, conflicts need to be defused as early as possible.
What EuroNatur and its partners are doing to protect wolves in Germany and what we have been able to achieve together:
- Working to raise awareness: We want to eliminate people’s prejudices towards wolves and prepare them for the animal’s return. In 2013, as a first step, EuroNatur worked with a group of experts to develop its “Guidelines for dealing with Wolves", thus laying the groundwork for effective wolf management in Baden-Württemberg.
- Building trust: EuroNatur, together with other conservation organisations and hunting groups, is a sponsor of the “Wolf Compensation Fund”. This enables livestock owners to be compensated, in a quick and unbureaucratic way, for any damage caused by wolves. We are also working to help livestock farmers take preventative measures to protect their herds.
Partners: EuroNatur is a member of the working group on Wolves in the AG Luchs Baden-Württemberg (Baden-Württemberg Lynx Association.)
Funding: EuroNatur sponsors and donors.
Join in and help us!
Join the many people getting actively involved for Europe’s wolves. We are grateful for any donation for wolves or active contribution you can make! In doing so, you are supporting an independent and networked civil society in Europe, which is campaigning vigorously to protect Europe’s wolves. Please help us any way you can!