The wolves are back in Germany and environmentalists and the majority of the people are excited about the prospect that they may soon be found all over Germany. Wolves had been eradicated from Germany and central Europe for about 150 years and were forced up into the lands of northern Europe.
About 10 years ago, a pair of wolves from Poland migrated into the state of Saxony in Germany. It was from this pair that puppies were born and the wolf began to repopulate in Germany. Today there about about 60 wolves or 7 packs found mostly in eastern Germany in the areas of Saxony, Brandenburg and Saxony-Anhalt. Individual wolves have also been sighted as roaming through other parts of the country such as Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Bavaria, Hesse and Lower Saxony.
Although the current population of wolves is still small, it has been estimated that Germany could successfully support up to 441 wolf packs eventually. This was determined by a study taken by the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) in 2009. Their conclusion was that there was "plenty of room" for wolves in Germany. A survey was also recently taken among a segment of the German population as to whether or not wolves would be accepted in the wilderness throughout Germany. 67% answered Yes, while 29% said No. The remainder said they did not care. This was out of a polling group of about 2600 people.
But not everyone is excited about the return of the wolf in Germany. For the most part, wolves will eat mainly deer and wild boar but there have been a few incidences involving sheep, goats and reindeer that were livestock. In many cases the fencing or shelter had not been secure against the wolves. So it is mostly the livestock owners, hunters, tourism and forestry segments that are worried about the spread of wolves in the future. There is still some carryover of the fear of the "Big Bad Wolf" also.
But many conservation groups feel that Germany is a "model country" for the rest of Europe. The success of the return of the wolf in Germany has been determined by a combination of research, public relations and herd protection. For example, in Saxony, electric fences are publicly funded. Because of all of these efforts, the co-existance between the wolves and the public has definitely improved. Education has helped people to understand that they can still enjoy time spent in nature, pick wild mushrooms and hike with their children without worry. Proper precautions and a welcoming attitude are what make the wolf reintroduction in Germany a world class model for success.
About 10 years ago, a pair of wolves from Poland migrated into the state of Saxony in Germany. It was from this pair that puppies were born and the wolf began to repopulate in Germany. Today there about about 60 wolves or 7 packs found mostly in eastern Germany in the areas of Saxony, Brandenburg and Saxony-Anhalt. Individual wolves have also been sighted as roaming through other parts of the country such as Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Bavaria, Hesse and Lower Saxony.
Although the current population of wolves is still small, it has been estimated that Germany could successfully support up to 441 wolf packs eventually. This was determined by a study taken by the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) in 2009. Their conclusion was that there was "plenty of room" for wolves in Germany. A survey was also recently taken among a segment of the German population as to whether or not wolves would be accepted in the wilderness throughout Germany. 67% answered Yes, while 29% said No. The remainder said they did not care. This was out of a polling group of about 2600 people.
But not everyone is excited about the return of the wolf in Germany. For the most part, wolves will eat mainly deer and wild boar but there have been a few incidences involving sheep, goats and reindeer that were livestock. In many cases the fencing or shelter had not been secure against the wolves. So it is mostly the livestock owners, hunters, tourism and forestry segments that are worried about the spread of wolves in the future. There is still some carryover of the fear of the "Big Bad Wolf" also.
But many conservation groups feel that Germany is a "model country" for the rest of Europe. The success of the return of the wolf in Germany has been determined by a combination of research, public relations and herd protection. For example, in Saxony, electric fences are publicly funded. Because of all of these efforts, the co-existance between the wolves and the public has definitely improved. Education has helped people to understand that they can still enjoy time spent in nature, pick wild mushrooms and hike with their children without worry. Proper precautions and a welcoming attitude are what make the wolf reintroduction in Germany a world class model for success.
I don't believe people need to fear Wolves, they keep to themselves. Only if they are provoked will they attack.It's the old fairy tales that have invoked fear that was very unfair to the Wolf.
I would love to see wolves back in my native Rhineland-Palatinate (Rheinland Pfalz), which is at the most western border of Germany. In fact, wolves are desperately needed in our large forest areas, to keep the exploding populations of deer and wild boar in check, which are damaging forests and crops. I would not be scared of a wolf in the forest, but I AM scared of the large families of wild boar that roam the forests and fields; they are far more dangerous to humans than wolves!
@Michaela: if you're hoping for wolves' return, just turn your sight towards west, they are coming from France, after their spread from Italy.