Gray Wolf - Canis lupus

Gray wolf weight and size can vary significantly worldwide, the largest wolves being found at the northernmost latitudes.

Adult wolves are 105–160 cm in length and 80–85 cm in shoulder height. The tail is around two thirds the length of the head and body, measuring 30–50 cm in length. Wolf weight varies geographically, with European wolves weighing on average 39 kg.

Gray wolf

Wolves are adapted to all northern habitats where there is suitable food, densities being highest where prey biomass is highest. Food is extremely variable, but the majority comprises large ungulates (moose, caribou, deer, elk, wild boar, etc.). Wolves will also eat smaller prey items, livestock, carcasses and garbage.

Wolves rarely live more than 13 years in the wild.

Globally, wolf populations are stable and the species is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN.

Following the bottleneck of the 1960s and 1970s, the European wolf population is generally increasing in number and expanding the distribution range. The total number of wolves in the EU 25 is likely to be in the order of 4-5,000, and the number of wolves in geographic Europe is likely to exceed 10,000.

Resting wolf

Iberian Peninsula

The Iberian population is large (about 2,500 wolves) and expanding towards the south and east. However it is somewhat threatened because of the fragmentation in management regimes, the lack of a population level management plan, and the occurrence of largely unpredictable events of human reaction against wolves (poison, shooting, etc.) that may threaten the population at local level. The small population of Sierra Morena is far from the main population in the North and therefore particularly endangered.

Western-Central Alps

The Alpine population is the recent outgrowth of the Italian wolf population and it is still numerically small. Though it is increasing fast, it is currently estimated to be 100-120 animals, and it has limited genetic and demographic contacts with the adjacent population of the Apennines (less than one successful migrant per year). It is endangered due to its small size.

Italian peninsula

The Italian wolf population is estimated to be 500-800 individuals distributed along the Apennines. The shape of the range is narrow and elongated, restricted to the Apennines. The population has limited exchanges with the population of the Western Alps and recent genetic evidence indicates a flux of genes only in the direction toward the Alps. In spite of the recent increase in numbers and range, the Italian wolf population is still highly vulnerable to local extermination from human pressures (poison, shooting, car accidents) and the unpredictable nature of these events suggest this population is still vulnerable and it may easily reverse its current favourable status.

Dinaric-Balkan

This large wolf population (approximately 5,000 animals) appears to be in favourable conservation status mainly due to the limited management caused by the recent political instability of large areas of the region. However, the more marginal parts of the range may be subject to excessive pressure from human disturbance (Slovenia, southern Greece).

Carpathian

This large wolf population (approximately 5,000 animals) appears to be in favourable conservation status mainly due to the conservation implemented in Romania. However, some of the marginal areas of the range may be subject to excessive pressure (southern Poland, Slovakia). Those marginal areas are also critical because of completely different management regimes implemented in neighboring countries (Ukraine, Poland and Slovakia). To ensure viability of those marginal parts of the Carpathian population international common decisions are important.

Baltic

The relatively large number of wolves and the continuity of the range into Russia mean this population is relatively stable. However, the small portions of the population in Poland and some of the Baltic States may require conservation measures to ensure their long term persistence.

Karelia

The total population in Finland and Russian Karelia is not known, but is considered likely to number less than 10,000, and it may be declining as a result of persecution. The degree of fragmentation is not known. The Karelian population is generally considered to be in contact with the large Russian population, and there would potentially be a rescue effect. Very little information is currently available on the status of the wolf in Russian Karelia, and this population should be reassessed if any new relevant data becomes available.

Scandinavia

The number of mature individuals is estimated to be less than 250. The population has low genetic variability and has had no genetic exchange with the Finnish population since 1991.

Germany/western Poland

The population is tiny, fragmented and isolated.

• Albania 250
• Belarus 2,000-2,005
• Bosnia Herzegovina 400
• Bulgaria 800-1000
• Croatia 100-150
• Czech Republic 20
• Germany 35
• Greece 200-300
• Greenland 50-100
• Portugal 200-300
• Spain 2,000
• Italy 500-700
• Estonia 200
• France 40-50
• Finland 116-123
• Hungary 50
• Kazakhstan 30,000
• Kirgistan 4,000
• Latvia 900
• Lithuania 300-400
• Romania 2,500
• Russia 25,000-30,000
• Serbia (incl. Montenegro) 500
• Slovakia 350-400
• Slovenia 70-100
• Switzerland 1-2
• Macedonia 1,000
• Mongolia 15,000-20,000
• Norway 12-18
• Sweden 166-210
• Poland 700-800
• Tajikistan 3,000
• Turkey 7,000
• Turkmenistan 1,000
• Ukraine 2,000
• Uzbekistan 2,000

• Albania
• Belarus
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Bulgaria
• Croatia
• Czech Republic
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Italy
• Kazakhstan
• Kyrgyzstan
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Macedonia
• Moldova
• Mongolia
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• Russia
• Serbia
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Tajikistan
• Turkey
• Turkmenistan
• Ukraine
• Uzbekistan

• Altai
• Caucasus
• Carpathians
• Cantabrian mountains
• Central Apennines
• Hardangervidda
• Kopetdag-Badhys
• Lena Delta
• Mongolia
• Orel-Bryansk
• Riparian forests of Amudaria
• Taymyr
• Vologda

Originally, the Grey Wolf was the world's most widely distributed mammal, living throughout the northern hemisphere north of 15°N latitude in North America and 12°N in India.

The original worldwide range of the wolf has been reduced by about one-third, primarily by deliberate persecution due to livestock depredation. Wolves have become extinct in much of Western Europe. Their present distribution in Eurasia is restricted primarily to wilderness and remote areas from about 75°N to 12°N.

Since the 1970s, however, legal protection, land-use changes, and abandonment of rural areas by human populations moving to cities have halted wolf population declines and fostered natural recolonization in parts of Western Europe.

Continued threats include competition with humans for livestock and game species, especially in developing countries, exaggerated concern by the public concerning the threat and danger of wolves, and fragmentation of habitat, with resulting areas becoming too small for populations with long-term viability.

Human intolerance is perhaps the greatest threat facing wolves in Europe. Fear, misunderstanding and the fact that wolves do kill livestock have prompted an uneasy relationship with people in many areas, leading to direct conflict and persecution. In some countries unrestricted hunting of wolves poses a threat, while in others, licenses for killing wolves are issued irrespective of biological understanding. Poaching is widespread and probably represents the most important mortality factor for the wolf in Europe.

Human encroachment is the most significant threat to wolf habitat. Wolves can live close to humans but they require safe areas in which to retreat. This is not considered in land planning in wolf areas and the small, fragmented populations in Western Europe can result in animals moving into unsuitable habitat.

• The UK Wolf Conservation Trust - Working to Keep Wolves in the Wild
  Founded in 1995, the UKWCT, through its ambassadorial wolves, supports education, conservation and research
• The Wolves and Humans Foundation
  The Wolves and Humans Foundation is a UK based charity dedicated to the conservation of Europe’s large carnivores - wolves, bears and lynx.
• People & Wildlife
  Since 2004 P&W provides a forum for human-wildlife conflict issues, promoting non-lethal, innovative solutions, information exchange, and a network to bring together experts, managers, institutions and the communities affected by conflict
• Wolf Haven International
  The mission of Wolf Haven International is to "Conserve and protect wolves and their habitat." Wolf Haven accomplishes its mission through providing sanctuary, education and conservation.
• Wolf Conservation Cente
  The Wolf Conservation Center (WCC) is a 501c3 organization that promotes wolf conservation by teaching about wolves, their relationship to the environment, and the human role in protecting their future.

• Human dimensions in Wolf management in Croatia
• Wolves returning to Germany: opportunity and challenge

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To illustrate this webpage (and for the sake of the protection of these animals) we have made use of photos of which it is not always clear who is the possessor of the credits and rights. If you feel yourself infringed in your rights or if you know the source of a photo, please let us know.