The latest national wolf census in Spain (2021-2024) provides important insights into the state of the wolf population on the Iberian Peninsula. With 333 wolf packs, Spain records a moderate increase of 12% compared to the last census in 2012-2014, which registered 297 packs. Although this growth is positive, scientists emphasize that the critical mark of 500 packs has not yet been reached to ensure the long-term genetic viability of the species. This article highlights the current figures, regional distribution, and the implications for wolf conservation in Spain.
Distribution and Growth: Where the Spanish Wolf Lives
The core areas of the Spanish wolf population remain Castile and Leon, Galicia, Asturias, and Cantabria. These regions host the majority of the packs. In addition, moderate expansion areas are evident in the Basque Country, Madrid, Castile-La Mancha, La Rioja, and Extremadura, where a small but growing number of packs has been observed. Particularly striking is the increase in packs along the eastern and southern edges of the distribution area, indicating a gradual expansion. For the first time in decades, a breeding pack was even detected in Extremadura in 2024. In Aragon and Catalonia, however, no stable packs were registered, only sporadic individual sightings.
Wolf Census Methodology: A Coordinated Approach
The wolf census was conducted using a coordinated methodology developed between 2021 and 2024 by the Autonomous Communities in cooperation with the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO). This approach allows for a direct comparison with the 2012-2014 census data. Fieldwork was carried out by experts in each region, while MITECO collected and coordinated the national information. The census considered both packs living exclusively in one Autonomous Community and those whose territory extends over several regions to avoid double counting. The results are crucial for assessing the conservation status of the wolf in Spain according to European Union criteria.
Protection Status and Management: A Controversial Debate
The census period coincided with a special protection status for wolves throughout Spain, as the species is listed in the List of Wild Species under Special Protection (LESPES). This has undoubtedly contributed to the observed moderate population growth. However, a legislative change is emerging that will allow some Autonomous Communities to resume wolf hunting. Cantabria, for example, has already carried out nine of 41 planned culls in the current breeding season. Asturias plans to remove 53 wolves by March 2026. Also La Rioja and Galicia have included the wolf in their hunting regulations for 2025, albeit without specific quotas. Castile and Leon will address the issue of wolf hunting once the six-year report, which must be sent to the European Commission by July 31, 2025, is completed. These developments lead to an ongoing debate about wolf protection and wolf management in Spain.
The Future of the Wolf in Spain: A Balancing Act between Protection and Coexistence
The results of the current wolf census show that the wolf in Spain has reached a stable, albeit not yet optimal, population size. The challenge now is to find a way that ensures both the protection of the species and coexistence with rural activities. A sustainable wolf policy must take into account scientific recommendations to secure the genetic viability of the wolf in Spain in the long term.
