Wolf monitoring in Saxony: 34 packs, 5 pairs and 2 single animals according to preliminary results

According to preliminary monitoring ring results, there are currently 34 wolf packs, five wolf pairs and two territorial individuals in Saxony. "A direct comparison with the previous monitoring year is extremely difficult due to the highly dynamic nature of new packs establishing themselves, others disappearing or territories shifting," said the State Environment Agency in Dresden. The data situation is based on the cut-off date of July 19. As the final evaluation is still pending, this figure could still change slightly upwards. In the previous monitoring year 2022/2023, a total of 38 packs, five pairs and two individual animals were confirmed in Saxony.

Most of the wolves in eastern Saxony

According to the report, the focus of the wolf population is still in eastern Saxony. This is also where the highest dynamics are observed in terms of the establishment, shifting and disappearance of wolf territories. For example, the Kottmarwald and Nonnenwald wolf packs have newly established themselves in the southern district of Görlitz. In the north of the district, the Reichwalde territory has been added. At the same time, the wolf territories Linz, Milkel, Tautewalde and Trebus could no longer be detected. The disappearance of packs has reportedly led to shifts in other existing territories. These include the two territories Daubitz II and Noeser Heide, which merged into one territory in the 2023/2024 monitoring year. The status of the Ralbitz territory in the district of Bautzen is currently still unclear.

In addition, the Massenei territory in the district of Saxon Switzerland/Eastern Ore Mountains has disappeared and has been reoccupied by the Polenztal pack. In the south of the district, the Harte pack has also re-established itself as a cross-border territory to the Czech Republic. The Colditzer Forst pack in western Saxony has therefore disappeared.

Challenges in monitoring

The final confirmation of the wolf territories for the 2023/2024 monitoring year is to be published on the website of the Wolf Unit and forms the basis of Saxony's wolf management. According to the State Environment Agency, it is challenging to record and understand all developments and correlations in wolf monitoring in a timely manner. Territories can often only be confirmed retrospectively.

Ongoing wolf monitoring has been taking place in Saxony since 2001 in order to monitor the size and development of the wolf population. The 2023/2024 monitoring year covers the period from May 1, 2023 to April 30, 2024.