the reappearance of wolves means relearning how to coexist

As the wolf population continues to increase in Germany, we’re helping the wolves, people and their livestock live safely together.

Problem

Wolves had been extinct in Germany for more than 150 years. In the 1990s, the wolves started to come back.

But there was a problem. In their 150-year absence, Germans had forgotten how to live alongside wolves. Farmers weren’t used to protecting their livestock and were desperate to learn how.

Solution

Today, IFAW helps monitor the wolves in Germany. We publish maps to document pack locations, raise awareness and educate the public about wolves and how to keep safe, and we equip livestock owners with information about how to protect their animals.

With the German Pastoralists Association of Professional Shepherds, we teach shepherds how to train and care for their sheep protection dogs—we even have a fund to help shepherds cover some of the costs associated with sheep protection dog ownership.

We’re also working to form a coalition of organisations and farming groups to find solutions on how wolves and farm animals can coexist.

Impact

In 2000, Germany witnessed the first successful wild breeding of wolves in more than 150 years. In monitoring year 2020/21, 157 wolf packs were proved, additionally 27 pairs and 19 single wolves were confirmed in Germany.