Wolves are present in France. They are a protected species that has naturally recolonized parts of the country after an extended absence. Their return represents a significant ecological event, bringing both conservation successes and complex challenges for local communities, particularly those involved in livestock farming.
How Wolves Returned to France
Wolves were once widespread across France, thriving in its vast forests and rural landscapes. However, centuries of human expansion and agricultural development led to escalating conflicts with these predators. Extensive eradication campaigns systematically reduced wolf populations, leading to their official disappearance from France by 1940.
The natural recolonization of wolves in France began in the early 1990s. The first confirmed sightings occurred in 1992 and 1993 within the Mercantour National Park, located in southeastern France near the Italian border. These pioneering wolves dispersed naturally from a resilient population in the Italian Apennine Mountains, which had recovered and expanded following international protection efforts initiated in the 1970s.
This return was not a reintroduction program but a spontaneous migration, facilitated by increased legal protections for the species. The Bern Convention of 1979 and the European Habitats Directive of 1992 played a role in designating wolves as strictly protected animals across Europe. These international agreements provided a framework that allowed wolf populations to recover and spread into suitable habitats, including their former territories in France.
Current Wolf Population and Presence
As of 2022, the estimated number of wolves in the country was approximately 1,104 individuals. This figure reflects a significant increase from previous years, with the population having nearly doubled in the five years leading up to 2022. In the winter of 2019-2020, there were 81 identified wolf packs, and by the summer of 2021, this number had risen to 128 packs, indicating continued expansion.
Wolves are primarily concentrated in the French Alps. From this stronghold, their presence has expanded into other regions across eastern France, extending north towards the Vosges and Meuse regions. They have also established themselves in Provence, the southern Massif Central, and parts of the Pyrenees. Occasional sightings have even occurred in areas like Brittany, demonstrating the species’ broad dispersal capacity.
The monitoring of France’s wolf population is a comprehensive effort, conducted annually by a dedicated network of trained professionals and volunteers. The French Agency for Biodiversity (OFB) oversees this process, which involves collecting DNA samples from hair and scat, deploying camera traps, and tracking wolf signs. This systematic approach allows authorities to assess population size, track geographical distribution, and understand the species’ ongoing expansion.
Human-Wolf Coexistence and Management
A primary challenge is livestock depredation, with wolves preying on sheep, cattle, goats, and horses. In 2022, wolves were reportedly responsible for attacks on approximately 12,000 livestock animals, a number that has seen a continuous increase over recent years.
To mitigate these conflicts, a range of protective measures for herds has been implemented. Guard dogs, notably the Patou (Great Pyrenees), are widely used; these large, white dogs are raised with sheep to bond with them and deter predators through their presence and size. Farmers also employ electric fences, often mobile and up to 1.4 meters high, to create secure nighttime enclosures for their livestock. Additionally, the direct presence of shepherds and even volunteers, supported by programs like Pastoraloup, is considered an effective deterrent.
The French government supports farmers through compensation schemes for losses incurred due to wolf attacks. These schemes aim to alleviate the economic burden on affected farmers by reimbursing them for direct and indirect losses, including missing animals. Furthermore, national management plans, known as “Plan Loup” (Wolf Plan), are developed to balance wolf conservation with agricultural interests. The current 2024-2029 plan outlines strategies for managing the wolf population, including allowing for controlled culling as a derogation from strict protection, provided the species’ overall viability is not threatened.
The presence of wolves continues to generate public debate in France. While farmers often advocate for more extensive culling measures, conservation organizations typically argue for limiting such actions. Public opinion research indicates that a majority of French citizens view wolves positively, recognizing their contribution to biodiversity and believing they have a rightful place in the natural environment. Most people do not fear wolves, understanding they tend to avoid human contact, and there is significant opposition to any measures that would jeopardize the species’ conservation status.