Germany Moves to Legalise Wolf Hunting in Response to Livestock 'Bloodlust'
Wolves were declared extinct in Germany in the 19th century, but a remarkable resurgence has seen more than 200 packs recorded across the country last year. This rapid population growth has led to a sharp increase in attacks on livestock, prompting legislative action.
Parliamentary Vote and Political Polarisation
The lower house of parliament, the Bundestag, voted in favour of a polarising law to legalise wolf hunting on Thursday. The legislation was supported by the centre-right governing coalition and the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party, while the Greens and far-left Linke party opposed it. The bill must still pass the Bundesrat upper house, with a vote scheduled later this month.
Hermann Färber of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) argued in the chamber that a new balance is needed in the German ecosystem. "The suffering of grazing animals, which are often killed in the bloodlust of wolves, no longer has anything to do with animal welfare," he stated.
Legislation Details and EU Context
The new law permits Germany's 16 states to allow wolf hunting from July to October in regions with dense wolf populations. Wolves that have previously killed or attacked farm animals can be shot regardless of conservation status or season. This implements an amendment to EU legislation allowing exceptions to species protection, a change triggered in 2022 after a wolf killed a pony belonging to EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen near Hanover.
Stakeholder Reactions and Statistics
The German Hunting Association welcomed the legislation, and the Working Group on Rural Agriculture called it a small contribution to protecting sheep, goats, and calves. Government statistics report about 4,300 farm animals were killed or injured by wolves in Germany in 2024.
In contrast, the Nature And Biodiversity Conservation Union (Nabu) urged regional states to block the law in the upper house. Wolf expert Marie Neuwald emphasised that species conservation must not be sacrificed for symbolic politics, advocating instead for comprehensive herd protection with subsidies for fences and protection dogs.
Election Implications and Regional Impact
The vote occurred just three days before elections in Baden-Württemberg, the first of five German states to vote this year. Frontrunner Manuel Hagel of the CDU, an avid hunter, has taken a hard line on wolves, stating "buckshot and lead will help" with the dangers they pose, despite the state having only four lone wolves.
In rural areas, strict hunting rules were often cited as conservation run amok, a sentiment the AfD leveraged for votes. A 2022 study found a predictive link between wolf attacks and far-right voting behaviour in affected regions.
Historical Context and Future Outlook
After being pronounced extinct in the 19th century, wolves made a striking comeback since 2000, with 219 packs, 36 couples, and 14 individual animals recorded last year. While shepherds are entitled to state compensation for attacks, the traumatic aftermath of ambushes continues to fuel debate over balancing wildlife conservation with agricultural livelihoods.
