Shot wolf in the Wartburg district: further investigation started!

Shot wolf in the Wartburg district: further investigation started!

Wartburgkreis, Deutschland - A terrifying incident caused turmoil in the Wartburg district, Thuringia. A wolf that was found dead on a street at the end of 2023 was not, as initially suspected, victim of a traffic accident. New studies have shown that the animal was shot. The Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW) in Berlin was able to confirm by computer tomography that it was an illegal shooting. However, where exactly the wolf was killed remains unclear. The wolf came from the pack of wild spots in Bavaria.

The discovery of the carcass in November 2023 was immediately reported to the competence center Wolf, Biber, Luchs by the responsible forestry office. As with all illegal kins in Germany, the lower nature conservation authority, the police and the public prosecutor's office were informed. The killing of a wolf is a crime in Germany that can be punished with a fine or even imprisonment, since wolves are strictly protected in this country and can only be hunted in exceptional cases how n-tv.de reported.

illegal wolf killings in Germany

The history of illegal wolf killings in Germany shows that the incident in the Wartburg district is not an isolated case. According to Jägers Magazin, there were already around 34 documented cases until August 2018. However, the number of unreported cases is uncertain. These killings are often secret offenses, and although the educational rate for human homicide is around 95 percent, no perpetrator could be determined in most cases.

Another exciting detail: The low clarification rate is also due to the fact that dead wolves often found on streets and not on their natural habitats. A crossing often kills the animals, and rarely have they died through shots. It remains unclear whether the most recent wolf is part of a major problem or whether it is an isolated case - the situation is tense.

wolves in Germany

The return of the wolves in Germany has caused a lot of conversation in recent years. People and animals are in a sensitive relationship with each other. This can also be seen in the current situation. On April 11, 2025, the proof of a new wolf puppy with the identification GW4442M, called "Hope", was confirmed on April 11, 2025. This animal is a descendant of the couple Frigga and Griso, the further fate of which is in the air - both are considered dead, and there are strong indications that Frigga has been illegally killed. So the situation for the German wolves remains tense.

The discussion about the legal framework and measures is on the agenda. Political advances that the hurdles want to reduce wolves are already underway. Bavaria hunting minister Hubert Aiwanger has requested the admission of the wolf to the Bavarian Hunting Act, while the Minister of Forestry Michaela Kaniber dismisses this claim as a symbol policy and sees the debate as a "polittleeater".

The previous illegal killings and the current situation underline the need to protect the balance between the protection of the wolves and the safety of farm animals. The herds of sheep and goats could be secured by better herd protection measures, but the situation remains problematic for cattle and cows. However, these losses are quite low compared to other causes such as illnesses or slaughter, as Wolfschutz Germany emphasizes.