Wolves in Brandenburg: Experts call for radical measures in wolf management!

Wolves in Brandenburg: Experts call for radical measures in wolf management!

The debate about wolf management in Brandenburg is gaining momentum. On July 1, 2025, at 10 a.m., the Committee for Agriculture, Food, Environment and Consumer Protection invites you to a hearing in Potsdam. The meeting, which is scheduled to end at 1:30 p.m., will be broadcast live on the state parliament's website. Experts such as Johannes Wagner from the Brandenburg District Council and Dr. Dirk-Henner Wellershoff, President of the Brandenburg State Hunting Association, is among the invited guests who will share their perspectives on a topic that has been polarizing for years. Brandenburg State Parliament reports that a complete agenda and the livestream links will be made available online.

The numbers speak for themselves: Between 2015 and 2022, over 20,000 domestic and grazing animals in Brandenburg were affected by wolf attacks. You could say the situation is tense. 2.9 million euros in compensation were paid out to affected animal owners, while 58.5 million euros went towards herd protection. These developments have prompted Jens Schreinicke, the wolf representative of the Brandenburg State Farmers' Association, to call for a radical change in how we deal with wolves. He compares the situation in Germany with that in Sweden, where a clear target population of 310 wolves has been defined, while an estimated 1,000 wolves live in Brandenburg. LJV Brandenburg emphasizes that conspicuous wolves can be actively removed in Sweden - a model that should also be introduced in Germany as part of herd protection.

A heartfelt plea for the animals

But like so often in life, there are two sides here too. The return of wolves is being celebrated as a conservation success story. They are heavily protected nationally and internationally, and responsibility for wolf management lies with the federal states. It is a tough challenge because conflicts between humans and wolves urgently need to be minimized. The German Farmers' Association points out that it is also about protecting farm animals, which is an essential part of functioning wolf management. Supporting animal owners through proven herd protection methods is the top priority.

Fears and prejudices within the population must be addressed. Public relations is therefore of enormous importance in order to promote harmonious coexistence. At the same time, the state hunting association is calling for the wolf to be included in hunting law, which could have a realistic chance through the planned amendment to the Brandenburg hunting law. A model for future population management is currently being developed, which is based on the existing habitats of the wolves and the acute needs of animal owners.

Focus on protecting livestock

For the wolf year 2022/23, experts recommend that 80 wolves should be removed in Brandenburg. A clear removal quota for each federal state could form the basis for uniform monitoring of the wolf population in Europe. One could benefit from regulated coordination that not only serves animal welfare, but also takes people's concerns into account.

Overall, wolf management in Brandenburg remains a hot topic that not only concerns legislators and experts, but also shapes daily life in rural regions. The upcoming exchange in the committee is therefore eagerly awaited and could represent a turning point in the debate.