Germany's wolves are on the rise thanks to a surprising ally: the military.

[Cattledog]

The population growth “is quite impressive," says Ilka Reinhardt, a biologist with Lupus, the German Institute for Wolf Monitoring and Research in Spreewitz, who has been involved in efforts to study the wolves since they returned to Germany. The latest data suggest the country has 47 packs and 21 pairs of wolves. "Twenty years ago, no one would have expected this," she adds, noting Germany’s fragmented habitat and the prevalence of roads and humans. "It shows how adaptable wolves are."

Reinhardt was particularly struck by their occurrence in military areas. "This was surprising to us," she says. She and her colleagues noticed that the first pair of wolves to show up in a new state always settled on a military training ground. The second pair, and usually the third also sought out military lands. After that, subsequent breeding pairs would be detected in protected areas or other habitats, the team reports this week online in Conservation Letters.

The military training grounds were clearly a desired location for pioneers, but what was the appeal? Reinhardt could find no sign that habitat was better there than in nature reserves, as measured by the amount of forest and density of roads. But when they compiled the death records, they were shocked to find that wolf mortality rates were higher in protected areas than in the military training grounds.

The difference seems to be poaching. Although the military training grounds are not fenced—which means wolves and deer can enter and leave at will—they are closed to the public and posted with many signs. The deer populations are managed by federal foresters, so when private hunting occurs, it is strictly regulated. This means fewer opportunities for poaching wolves, Reinhardt says.

https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/02/germany-s-wolves-are-rise-thanks-surprising-ally-military?fbclid=IwAR1daIA_-3-1TSL_R3d1ryfblTUYJqdwBAh5vSPC-vaJFGQW1xx7iAFYUgk

[crazytown]

1. European Wolf

Bavarian National Park

[shanny]

2. Cool.

Looks chunkier and shorter? than ours. Any idea on relative size?

[pazzyanne]

4. From what I read, they are about the same size

but American wolves have shorter legs. I thought the same thing that you did. They do look chunkier and shorter.

[Duppers]

7. Beautiful photo.

Last edited Tue Feb 19, 2019, 03:49 AM - Edit history (1)

Beautiful wolf. His/her hunting skills must be good. Or perhaps she's an alpha ready to have a big litter?

[pazzyanne]

3. This is an interesting study.

I have been involved in wolf restoration since the 1970s, first in Minnesota and then nationwide. It is amazing how wolves make a comeback when they are given half a chance. The environment that supports wolf populations is a healthier ecosystem than those without wolves. So glad to hear there are other countries that are preserving and increasing their wolf populations. They are wonderfully interesting animals. Humans could learn a lot from studying them.

[crazytown]

5. Wolves across Europe

Denmark


Germany


Czech Republic


Romania


Poland


Chernobyl Exclusion Zone

[littlemissmartypants]

6. They're beautiful! ♡

Thanks for sharing this, Cattledog!

[Bayard]

8. Great news!

Maybe they'll still have a supply when we've killed off all in this country. They do have a different look about them than American wolves.......

I've loved wolves since I was a kid. They are very spiritual animals.

[Duppers]

9. Indeed!

I've collected pics of wolves for decades.

And they've always been my son's favorite critters. Even his college freshman dorm room was decorated with majestic pics of wolves, to make him feel at home.