142 attacks by wolves counted in Saxony so far

In Saxony, 142 attacks by wolves on livestock have been recorded so far this year. A total of 569 animals have been harmed, according to the Wolf Unit at the State Environment Agency. The figures refer to the situation in mid-October. The specialist unit assumes that the total figures for 2024 will be slightly lower than in the previous year. In 2023, 275 attacks with 1380 damaged livestock were counted.

According to the current wolf monitoring, there are currently 37 wolf packs living in Saxony - one less than in the 2022/2023 monitoring year. In addition, there are six pairs of wolves and five areas where there were traces but insufficient evidence of an occurrence. A monitoring year runs from May 1 to April 30 - based on the biological wolf year with the birth of pups. Offspring were confirmed in 33 of the 43 territories in Saxony - 106 pups were counted.

Four wolves killed illegally

24 wolves were killed in traffic accidents in the last monitoring year. Four conspicuous animals were deliberately killed as part of wolf management. However, four wolves were also killed illegally, two of which were shot and two died because they ate meat baits prepared with wire. The State Office of Criminal Investigation is investigating these cases.

Many wolves in eastern Saxony, none in the middle of the state

Most wolf territories (34) are located east of the Elbe. There are also comparatively many wolves in northern Saxony with seven territories, plus a few animals in the Ore Mountains. In contrast, there are no resident wolves in the center of the Free State. This is presumably due to the nature of the landscape. The wolf needs sufficient prey and retreat areas, said Vanessa Ludwig from the specialist agency. Old military training areas or open-cast mining areas are places where the animals have settled. This does not tend to be the case in Central Saxony.

Livestock farmers should take protective measures

The wolf experts are nevertheless calling on livestock farmers throughout Saxony to take herd protection measures. This primarily includes fences. Migrating wolves could also prey on livestock. Most recently, 52 percent of the cases in which farm animals were harmed did not meet the minimum protection requirements, said Patrick Irmer, who is responsible for conflict management at the Wolf Center.