Wolves in Brandenburg: Experts demand radical measures in wolf management!

Wolves in Brandenburg: Experts demand radical measures in wolf management!

Potsdam, Brandenburg, Deutschland - The debate about wolf management in Brandenburg picks up speed. On July 1, 2025, at 10 a.m., the Committee for Agriculture and Nutritional Economy, Environment and Consumer Protection invites you to a hearing in Potsdam. The session, which is to end at 1.30 p.m., is broadcast live on the website of the state parliament. Experts such as Johannes Wagner from the Brandenburg district council and Dr. Dirk-Henner Wellershoff, President of the Brandenburg State Hunting Association, are among the invited guests who will share their perspectives on a topic that has been polarized for years. Landtag Brandenburg reports that a complete agenda and the livestream-link are provided.

The numbers speak a clear language: Between 2015 and 2022, over 20,000 house and pasture animals were affected by wolf attacks in Brandenburg. One could say the situation is tense. 2.9 million euros in damages were paid to affected pet owners, while 58.5 million euros went into herd protection. Jens Schreinicke, the wolf representative of the Brandenburg State Farmers' Association, prompted Jens Schreinicke to request a radical change in dealing with the wolves. He compares the situation in Germany with that in Sweden, where a clear target of 310 wolves is defined, while an estimated 1,000 wolves live in Brandenburg. [LJV Brandenburg] (https://ljv-brandenburg.de/forum-natur-brandenburg-e-v- demand-active-wolfmanagement/) emphasizes that striking wolves can be actively removed in Sweden-a model that should also be introduced in Germany as part of herd protection.

a warm plea for the animals

But as is so often the case in life, there are two sides here too. The return of the wolves is celebrated as a success story of species protection. They are strongly protected nationally and internationally, and responsibility for wolf management lies with the federal states. It is a great challenge, because the conflicts between humans and wolf urgently need to be minimized. The German Farmers' Association indicates that it is also about the protection of farm animals, which is an essential part of a functioning wolf management. The support of the pet owners with proven herd protection methods is at the top.

fears and prejudices within the population must be addressed. Public relations is therefore of enormous importance to promote a harmonious coexistence. At the same time, the State Hunting Association demands the admission of the wolf to hunting law, which could receive a realistic opportunity through the planned amendment to the Brandenburg Hunting Act. A model for future inventory management is currently being developed, which is based on the existing habitats of the wolves and the acute needs of the pet owners.

protection of the user cattle in focus

For the wolf year 2022/23, experts recommend that 80 wolves should be taken in Brandenburg. The basis for uniform monitoring of the wolf population in Europe could form a clear withdrawal rate for each federal state. So one could benefit from a regulated coordination that not only serves to welfare, but also takes into account the concerns of people.

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