Germany approves new wolf hunting law

March 17, 2026

Germany has approved new legislation permitting regulated wolf hunting, following a significant increase in the country’s wolf population and a sharp rise in livestock attacks. The bill, passed by the lower house of parliament, aims to address growing tensions between wildlife conservation and agricultural protection.

A growing wolf population sparks political debate

Over the past 30 years, wolves have made a dramatic comeback in Germany after being declared extinct in the 19th century. Since their return around 2000, their numbers have steadily expanded. A recent official survey recorded 219 wolf packs nationwide, along with 36 breeding pairs and 14 solitary wolves.

However, this resurgence has fueled political and social divisions. The issue has increasingly split political parties and regions — particularly between western Germany and more rural eastern states, where wolf populations are concentrated.

The new law was approved in the Bundestag with support from the centre-right coalition led by the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD). Lawmakers from the Greens and the far-left Die Linke opposed the measure. The legislation now awaits approval from the Bundesrat, Germany’s upper parliamentary chamber.

What the new german wolf hunting law allows

Under the proposed regulations:

• Germany’s 16 federal states may authorize wolf hunting from July through October in regions with dense wolf populations.

• Wolves previously identified as attacking or killing livestock can be culled regardless of conservation status or seasonal restrictions.

• The law aligns Germany with updated European Union wildlife protection rules, which now permit exceptions to strict species protections.

The EU’s policy shift followed a high-profile 2022 incident in which a wolf killed a pony owned by Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission. The event prompted a reassessment of wolf conservation status at the European level, ultimately leading to a downgrade in protections.

Farmers welcome the decision as livestock losses mount

Agricultural groups have praised the legislation, citing mounting losses. According to government data, approximately 4,300 farm animals were killed or injured by wolves in Germany in 2024 alone. Sheep, goats, and calves have been particularly affected.

The German Hunting Association endorsed the move, arguing that controlled hunting will help restore ecological balance. Meanwhile, the Working Group on Rural Agriculture described the law as a necessary step to protect farmers’ livelihoods.

Shepherds are typically eligible for state compensation following wolf attacks, but many report that the emotional toll of discovering mutilated livestock is severe.

Environmental groups push back

Conservation organizations strongly oppose the policy. The Nature And Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU) — Germany’s largest and oldest environmental association — has urged state governments to block the bill in the Bundesrat.

NABU’s wolf expert argues that species protection should not be weakened for political reasons. Instead of culling wolves, environmental groups advocate for stronger preventive measures such as:

• Subsidized electric fencing

• Financial support for livestock guardian dogs

• Improved herd protection infrastructure

Critics warn that widespread hunting could undermine decades of conservation progress.

Election politics and the wolf debate

The vote comes amid regional election campaigns, including in Baden-Württemberg. CDU candidate Manuel Hagel, an avid hunter, has taken a firm stance on wolf control, framing the issue as one of rural safety and economic stability. He faces competition from Green candidate Cem Özdemir, a former federal agriculture minister, and AfD contender Markus Frohnmaier.

Although Baden-Württemberg currently has only a small wolf presence — four lone wolves according to official data — the topic has become symbolically significant in the campaign.

A 2022 study identified a predictive correlation between wolf attacks in certain regions and increased far-right voting patterns, highlighting how wildlife policy has become intertwined with broader political narratives.

Wolves in Germany: from extinction to controversy

Once eradicated in the 1800s, wolves have staged a remarkable recovery in Germany thanks to strict conservation laws and EU protections. Their return has reignited age-old fears and folklore associations, while also prompting modern debates over biodiversity, rural livelihoods, and political identity.

As Germany moves closer to implementing controlled wolf hunting, the country faces a complex challenge: balancing species conservation with agricultural sustainability and social stability.

The final decision now rests with the Bundesrat later this month.