Wolf Attacks on Livestock in Germany Decline Significantly in 2024

Improved herd protection measures are credited for the reduction, while debates persist over wolf population management and EU protection policies.

The number of livestock attacks by wolves in Saxony dropped from 275 in 2023 to 210 in 2024, with total affected animals falling from 1,380 to 820.
Enhanced herd protection, including higher electrified fences in hotspot regions, is cited as a key factor in reducing attacks.
The EU Commission has proposed downgrading wolves from 'strictly protected' to 'protected,' potentially allowing for more active management of wolf populations.
Conservation groups argue that improved herd protection, rather than culling, is sufficient to manage wolf-livestock conflicts sustainably.
Germany's wolf population, consisting of 209 packs primarily in Brandenburg, Lower Saxony, and Saxony, has grown slowly in recent years, with concerns over the impact on small-scale farmers and biodiversity.