Wolf attacks decline sharply in Brandenburg

Nobody saw this coming: for the first time since the return of wolves, attacks on livestock are declining — and significantly so.

Does this spell the end of planned wolf hunting?

The new figures come as a surprise: 944 sheep and goats were killed by wolves in Brandenburg in 2024 — compared to 1,281 the year before. A decline of 26%. This was announced by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Environment in response to a parliamentary inquiry by the AfD. Until now, the number of wolf kills had increased every year. Brandenburg is Europe's number one wolf territory.

The reason for this encouraging development: an increasing number of livestock farmers are relying on wolf-proof fencing and livestock guardian dogs — both funded by the state. In 91% of wolf kills since 2019, the recommended livestock protection measures were absent. Those affected were predominantly hobby animal keepers. Professional breeders and shepherds who move their flocks seasonally generally protect their animals properly.

58 wolf packs live in Brandenburg — more than in any other federal state

Wolf attacks on beef calves fell even more sharply (down 39%) as did attacks on enclosure wildlife (down 44%). Donkeys and horse foals were not attacked at all in 2024 (previous year: 8). According to the ministry, the highest number of wolf incidents occurred in the Spree-Neisse district (51) and in the Uckermark (36). In the urban areas of Potsdam and Brandenburg/Havel, there were none whatsoever.

Nevertheless, Brandenburg's state government is pressing ahead with its plans to cull wolves. As early as June, the hitherto strictly protected animals are to be classified as huntable game by law. The state hunting advisory council does not wish to wait for new regulations from the federal government.

Under-Secretary of State for the Environment and hunting lobbyist Gregor Beyer (independent, formerly FDP) is driving the hunting plans forward — with fictitious figures. By claiming there are allegedly 5’000 wolves in Germany, Beyer is publicly stoking fear. In reality, there are only 1’600 animals nationwide, including 58 packs, eight pairs and 210 cubs in the wolf territory of Brandenburg.

“The declining number of kills shows that herd protection is far more important than hunting wolves,” says Carsten Preuss, head of the Federation for Environment and Nature Conservation (BUND). He calls for “additional funds for prevention and compensation measures to flow quickly and without bureaucracy, and for herd protection advisory services to be continuously expanded.”

In Brandenburg, the growing number of wolves has led to a decline in the deer population, particularly red deer and fallow deer, which benefits the forest and ecosystem. Hobby hunters in Oder-Spree shot only 128 red deer in 2024/25; previously the figure was 800.