Wolf Country: Bavaria's Wild Predators

Wolves have been spotted in Bavaria, Germany, since 2006, with the first wild-born litter of wolf cubs in over 150 years being caught on camera in 2018. In recent years, the number of wolves in the area has increased, with a number of wolves establishing themselves in the region. The Bavarian Forest is also home to the lynx, the continent's largest cat, which disappeared from the region in the 19th century due to human persecution.

Wolves in Bavaria: past and present

Wolves, once extinct in Germany, have been sighted in Bavaria since 2006, with the first wild-born litter of wolf cubs in over 150 years being caught on camera in 2018. In the past, wolves were eradicated from Germany, with the last sighting of the animal in the early 2000s, about 150 years after their eradication. However, in recent years, wolves have been making a comeback, with lone wolves passing through Bavaria and a number of them establishing themselves in the area. This is largely due to the management plan implemented by the German state since 2007, which has worked to make the environment attractive to these animals once more.

Wolves were once native to the Bavarian Forest, but they disappeared in the 19th century due to human persecution. They are now a strictly protected animal species under the Federal Nature Conservation Act. The wolf is the second big predator native to the region, alongside the lynx, which is the continent's largest cat. Other mammals that inhabit the Bavarian Forest National Park include wildcats, otters, and beavers.

The return of the wolves to Bavaria has been a controversial topic. While some are excited about the reintroduction of these animals to the region, farmers' organizations have supported more aggressive measures, with the Bavarian agricultural minister, Helmut Brunner, speaking in favor of relaxing endangered species protections and even culling wolves if necessary.

Despite the controversy, the number of wolves in Germany continues to grow, with the highest concentration of the species being found in the state surrounding Berlin. In 2019, the number of wolf packs in Germany increased to 105, with each pack containing between three and 11 wolves. In addition, monitors identified 25 wolf pairs and 13 lone wolves. The species have spread to several states, including Brandenburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, and Lower Saxony.

The future of wolves in Bavaria remains uncertain. While some welcome their return, others fear that they may threaten human safety or livestock. Nonetheless, the recent birth of wolf cubs in the wild signifies a significant step in the reestablishment of these animals in the region.

Where to spot wolves in Bavaria

Wolves have been sighted in Bavaria since 2006, and the German state has had a management plan in place since 2007. In recent years, the efforts to make the environment attractive to these animals have paid off, with a number of wolves establishing themselves in the area.

If you want to spot wolves in Bavaria, here are some places you can try:

Bavarian Forest National Park

The Bavarian Forest National Park is home to a variety of animals, including wolves. The park is located in the Bavarian Forest, where wolves are native. In 2018, a wolf family with three young was caught on camera in the park, which was the first wild-born litter of wolf cubs in over 150 years.

Eastern Germany

A large number of free-roaming wolves have been living in Germany in recent years, particularly in the eastern states. The states of Brandenburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, and Lower Saxony have all reported wolf sightings.

Lusatia Region

In the early 2000s, wolves returned to the Lusatia region in eastern Germany, which straddles the states of Brandenburg and Saxony.

Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Schleswig-Holstein

For the first time since wolves were wiped out in Germany, lone territorial wolves have been identified in these states.

Thuringia

Further territorial occurrences of wolves have been proven in Thuringia.

Italian Alps

There are a dozen or two bears in the Italian Alps, and occasionally one wanders over towards Germany. While this usually has a tragic ending, you may be lucky enough to spot one in Bavaria.

Fussen

If you're hiking in the Fussen area, keep your eyes peeled for some exciting wildlife. While wolves and reindeer are unlikely, you may spot some chamois (Gemse or Gämse in German).

The return of wolves to Germany

Wolves, once extinct in Germany, are now a protected species under the Federal Nature Conservation Act. In the last few years, a large number of free-roaming wolves have been living in Germany, particularly in the eastern states. In 2019, the number of wolf packs in the country was reported to be 105, with the highest concentration found in the state surrounding Berlin.

Wolves returned to eastern Germany's Lusatia region in the early 2000s, around 150 years after being eradicated from the country. They have since spread to several states, including Brandenburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, and Lower Saxony. For the first time since wolves were wiped out in Germany, lone territorial wolves have been identified in the states of Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, North Rhine-Westphalia, Schleswig-Holstein, Thuringia, and Bavaria.

The Bavarian Forest National Park is home to a variety of animals, including the wolf, which is native to the region. The return of the wolf to Bavaria has been a controversial topic, with farmers' organizations supporting aggressive measures to protect their livestock. However, efforts to make the environment attractive to these animals have paid off, and wolves have been establishing themselves in the area.

In 2018, a scientific study identified 16,000 square kilometers of potential habitat for bears in Germany, particularly in the German Alps. Scientists see good chances for brown bears to return permanently to this region.

In addition to wolves and bears, other species that are returning to Germany include the lynx and the elk. The lynx, the continent's largest cat, disappeared from the Bavarian Forest in the 19th century due to human persecution but has since recovered and returned to the region.

The return of these species to Germany is a positive development for biodiversity and conservation efforts in the country.

Wolf conservation in Bavaria

The Bavarian state has had a wolf management plan in place since 2007, which involves input from all affected parties. This plan has been successful in making the environment attractive to wolves, with a number of wolves establishing themselves in the area. The Bavarian Forest National Park is also home to other large predators, such as the lynx, which had also disappeared from the region but has since returned. The return of these predators has led to concerns about attacks on livestock, with farmers' organizations supporting more aggressive measures to protect their herds.

To address these concerns, the Bavarian environmental agency has advised owners of domesticated animals in wolf-inhabited areas to ensure adequate fencing and consider the use of guard dogs. While the exact number of wolves in Bavaria is unknown, they have been spotted in several areas of the state, including Lusatia, Brandenburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Lower Saxony, Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Schleswig-Holstein. The increase in wolf packs in Germany has also led to a rise in the number of wolves killed, both illegally and in traffic accidents, with the number of dead wolves found jumping from 61 to 99 in a single year.

Despite the challenges, the return of wolves to Bavaria is a significant development, and their conservation is crucial. With the right measures in place, it is possible for wolves to thrive in their new habitat without posing a significant threat to humans and domesticated animals.

Wolf cubs in Bavaria

In 2018, wolf cubs were born in the wild in Bavaria for the first time in over 150 years. A wolf family with three young was caught on camera in the Bavarian National Forest Park in southern Germany. The birth of the cubs marked the return of wolves to the region, where they had once roamed widely.

Wolves were reintroduced to Germany in 2000 after being hunted to extinction in the 19th century. Since then, efforts have been made to attract wolves back to the area, and these efforts have paid off, with a number of wolves establishing themselves in Bavaria. The birth of the wild wolf cubs in the Bavarian Forest National Park was a significant milestone, as they were the first wild-born animals of their species in the region in over a century.

The return of wolves to Bavaria has been met with mixed reactions. While some people may be fascinated by the idea of wild wolves roaming the forests, others, especially farmers, may have concerns about the potential threat to their domesticated animals. The Bavarian environmental agency has advised owners of domesticated animals in areas where wolves reside to ensure adequate fencing and consider using dogs to protect their herds. However, farmers' organizations have called for more aggressive measures, and there have even been suggestions of relaxing endangered species protections to allow for wolf culling if necessary.

Despite these concerns, the return of wolves to Bavaria is an important development for the region's ecosystem. With the birth of these wolf cubs in the wild, Bavaria takes another step towards restoring the natural balance that once existed in its forests.

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