Roughly translated by TWIN Observer
NATURE / TT– Wolves are gaining ground across Europe, not just in Sweden. Over large parts of the continent, spreading the nature and increases in number. The wolf experts are talking about a pure – and unexpected – success for nature conservation.
The latest findings on the development are being presented at the ongoing wolf symposium Vålådalen in Jämtland.
In Europe outside Russia, Belarus and Ukraine are now more than 14,000 wolves, spread over ten populations.
Luigi Boitani, wolf researcher from the University of Rome, Italy, says that the wolf population in his home country is twice as large as previously thought. In the current situation includes the over 1500 wolves, almost four times as many as in Sweden.
“They are everywhere in the mountains. You do not see them as often, but they are common,” says Boitani.
From Italy to Bonn
He points out that the wolves are now also spreading across France. At the moment, the French population is 300-400 wolves and they have spread to the Central Massif in the middle of the country.
“All populations are increasing in number, except in Finland. And the wolves are now moving into areas where they have not been seen for a very long time, as central Germany, Switzerland and central Spain,” says Boitani.
“They can wander very far. A wolf from Italy appeared outside Bonn, Germany, another was found in Spain. They must have crossed many rivers, fast train tracks and highways.”
Super Flexible
According to Boitani this had not really been expected about 30 years ago. But in most countries, hunting has been regulated and the natural prey have increased in number. The rest have handled the wolves themselves.
“The wolf is a super flexible species,” he says.
This does not mean, according to Boitani, the wolf’s future is secure on the continent. Conflicts with the sheep industry, and with hunters, are everywhere and are hard to solve. At national level, the wolves are never any financial problem, but for individual people, they can be considered expensive. Though Boitani thinks that the problems in Sweden are being magnified.
“Approximately 30 hunting dogs attacked annually in Sweden. It’s nothing compared to the losses in Italy,” he said.
FACT: WOLF
The wolf (Canis lupus) was originally found all over Europe, most of Asia, and almost all of North America.
The species has been divided into a large number of subspecies. Generally speaking, the biggest wolves are in Siberia and northwestern North America, while the smallest subspecies is found in the Arabian Peninsula.
The number of wolves in the world is unknown, but is probably somewhere in the neighborhood of 200,000 individuals. In Canada and the United States are over 75 000 wolves. In Europe – including Ukraine, Belarus and the European part of Russia – around 33 000, in Siberia some 30 000, in China more than 12 000, and in Mongolia about 15 000.
Sources: IUCN LCIE, etc.