Four illegal wolf killings registered in Saxony

Four illegally killed wolves have been found in Saxony in the current observation year. Since May 2023, three cases have been registered in the district of Bautzen and one in the district of Görlitz, as the Wolf Unit of the State Office for Environment, Agriculture and Geology (LfULG) and the State Criminal Police Office (LKA) announced on Tuesday. Two wolves were killed by illegal shooting, the other two animals died in agony from injuries caused by bait. In the previous year, there were only two illegal killings. As these were both accidental discoveries, it is assumed that the number of unreported illegal killings is higher.

In the current monitoring, bait residue was also found in wolf droppings (animal excrement) and a deployed, already closed snap trap. The LKA and LfULG are therefore urging dog owners in the affected districts of Bautzen and Görlitz to exercise particular caution. Animals should be kept on a leash and on call.

The LKA is investigating the four current cases, which occurred on September 22 and 27, October 26 and February 14. As the wolf is a strictly protected species, it is subject to prison sentences of up to five years and fines. Seven wolves were killed illegally across Germany in the 2023/2024 monitoring year, according to data from the Federal Documentation and Advisory Center on Wolves. The monitoring year covers the period from 1 May to 30 April, based on the biological "wolf year" beginning with the birth of the pups.

A total of 207 wolves have been found dead in Saxony since 2000, according to the data, and 33 in 2023/2024. The most common cause of death was traffic accidents, followed by illegal killings. Saxony is one of the federal states with the highest number of wolf packs. According to statistics, there were recently 38 packs, four pairs and two single animals.