140 dead wolves: A dangerous year for the animals in Saxony-Anhalt!

140 dead wolves: A dangerous year for the animals in Saxony-Anhalt!

In Saxony-Anhalt, an alarming number of dead wolves is worrying nature conservationists and animal rights activists. In the last 25 years, a total of 140 dead wolves have been found in the state, reports People's voice. The federal documentation and advisory center on wolves determined the causes of death: 98 wolves died in traffic accidents, while 18 illegal killings and 13 natural deaths were determined. In several cases the cause of death remains unclear.

What does this number mean for wolf protection in Germany? A total of 1,315 dead wolves were recorded nationwide from 2000 to 2025. Most accidents happen on roads, as shown by the fate of the two puppies who died in traffic accidents in Saxony-Anhalt at the beginning of October.

Increasing illegality and warnings

But it doesn't stop there. Recently, increasing poaching and illegal killings of wolves have also become an urgent problem. In July 2023, several federal states such as Bavaria, Berlin, Hesse and Saxony advocated reporting a “favorable conservation status” for the wolf to the EU. Saxony's Environment Minister Georg-Ludwig von Breitenbuch (CDU) assured that this situation had been achieved. But critical voices are not left out. Brigitte Sommer of Wolfsschutz Deutschland expressed concerns that illegal killings of wolves could continue to rise, putting conservation groups on alert.

In Thuringia, organizations such as NABU and BUND even fear that wolves will be locally exterminated. In the discussion about the possible legalization of hunting, there are deep concerns about further injustice. The impression that poaching is now seen as a “petty crime” increases fears. There is also a depressing statistic from the past: in the last few decades there has only been one case in which a poacher was convicted of illegal killings, and that was only because he turned himself in. In Saxony-Anhalt, all perpetrators of illegal killings have so far remained undetected, this was confirmed by the State Office for Environmental Protection.

The number of unreported cases and the future of wolves

The tragedy of this issue is reinforced by the high number of unreported illegal killings. Gunshot wounds occurred in 15 documented cases, but the actual numbers could be significantly higher because carcasses are rarely discovered. Dealing with wolves is a balance between protection and illegality. As a society, we are called upon to ensure that these fascinating animals do not become the pawns of uncontrolled hunting practices, but are given the protection they deserve.

The developments surrounding the wolf show that we need a good hand to find the right way to conserve this species. The challenges are clear: How can we protect wolves and at the same time take the population's concerns seriously? An answer to this is urgently needed.