© Ralph Frank / WWF Germany

In some areas of Europe, the grey wolf completely disappeared more than a century ago. But now it is gradually coming back. To keep the beauties of nature, we need to make sure they stay protected.

The wolf is currently protected under the EU Birds and Habitats Directive but some threats still exist.

© Ralph Frank / WWF Germany

My common name: Grey Wolf

My latin name: Canis lupus

Population: About 12 000 in Europe and 200 000 worldwide

My address: Asia, Canada, North of the USA, Europe

My favourite food: I can eat a lot of meat at one meal and then go without food for a considerable time. 

My way of life: I am a social creature and live with my family. We call it a pack. We travel and hunt together. Some of us stay with the pack for life, some don’t.

Life span: I can live up to 13 years in a protected park but in the wild, life is tough and some of us often die at the age of 8.

We hear a lot about the wolf, but how much do we really know about this beautiful and rare animal?

 

Find out more

Many stories are being told about the wolves, but often negative ones. They tend to exacerbate our fears and highlight the tensions between us and them.

Read different sides of the story, from wolf and pastoralism to the demonisation of the wolf  and the testimonies of farmers and shepherds, who lived with the wolf.

Discover the beauty behind the wolf and the benefit of its return to Europe.
 

Learn more

Why did the wolf disappear from some European countries and why did it return?  Why are wolves often seen in a negative way? What is done to protect the livestock from wolf attacks?

All you always wanted to know about wolves.
 

Learn more