The Iberian wolf (Canis lupus signatus) is an emblematic species in the Spanish fauna, which has been surrounded by debates and controversies, especially in recent decades. Although its number has fluctuated throughout history, it is currently estimated that the wolf population in Spain has increased in recent years, although it remains the subject of intense disputes, mainly between conservationists and livestock farmers. This report seeks to shed light on the current number of wolves, their geographical distribution, habits, characteristics and the real impact they have on livestock.
Wolf population in Spain: current figures and evolution
According to recent data, the wolf population in Spain has seen a notable increase. A 2021 report by the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge estimated that there are around 297 packs across the country, which translates into a population ranging between 2,500 and 3,000 individuals. Compared to previous studies, such as the 2014 census, an increase of around 26% in the total wolf population has been detected.
According to the Jara y Sedal magazine last year, the scientist Mario Sáenz de Buruaga Tomillo stated that “national wolf censuses are usually carried out every five or ten years. A species like this does not change from year to year, but in some places such as Castilla y León or Galicia, populations have changed in recent times.” However, given the increase in damage to livestock in recent years, we can deduce that the wolf population has increased significantly, he believes.
Historically, the wolf was present in almost all of Spain. However, its population was drastically reduced due to systematic persecution during the 20th century, almost leading to extinction in some areas. Towards the mid-1970s, the wolf population was limited to the northwestern regions of the country, particularly in Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria and Castile and León. Thanks to conservation policies and legal protection implemented in various areas, the wolf has managed to recover in some of its traditional areas. In fact, is consolidating its presence in territories such as Madrid, La Rioja and Castilla-La Mancha (it has been confirmed in Guadalajara, and since 2022 it has been observed in northern Toledo, possibly from the province of Ávila), and frequently detected in Aragon, Extremadura and Catalonia, although breeding groups have not been confirmed in the latter.
In the Community of Madrid, the distribution of wolves is limited to the Sierra del Rincón, the Lozoya Valley and the surroundings of Santa María de la Alameda. There is a stable presence in the southwest of the Guadarrama. Official data confirm the existence of five packs.
In general, it can be said that the Iberian wolf is currently distributed mainly north of the Duero River, where its presence is more stable and better documented. Autonomous communities such as Castilla y León, Galicia, and Asturias concentrate the largest number of specimens. In Castilla y León, for example, there are around 60% of the Iberian wolf packs, while in Galicia there are about 90 packs. In the south of the Duero, the situation is more precarious, since the population is smaller and faces greater challenges, such as the fragmentation of its habitat and poaching.
Characteristics and habits of the Iberian wolf
The Iberian wolf, a subspecies of the European wolf, is distinguished by its lighter colour and characteristic markings on its front legs, hence its name “signatus”, which means “marked”. Its size varies between 70 and 80 cm in height in males and its weight ranges between 25 and 50 kg, with females being slightly smaller.
Iberian wolves are social animals that live and hunt in family packs, which can be made up of between 4 and 10 individuals, depending on the time of year. Their diet is mainly carnivorous, although they can also supplement their diet with fruits and other foods if necessary.
As for reproduction, females usually have a single litter per year, usually between the months of March and April. The gestation period is about 63 days, and litters can vary between 3 and 8 pups. These pups remain with the pack for about a year before becoming independent.
Preferred habitats and hunting patterns
Iberian wolves prefer wooded and mountainous areas where they can find shelter and food. In Spain, wolves mainly live in rural areas, far from large urban agglomerations, although the expansion of their territory in recent years has led to their appearance in areas closer to humans.
As for hunting, wolves are opportunistic predators that hunt in groups to take down larger prey such as deer, roe deer or wild boar. However, their diet also includes smaller animals such as rabbits or rodents, especially in times of scarcity. Cooperative hunting is one of their most notable skills, using group strategies to corner their prey.
Impact on livestock: myth and reality
One of the biggest points of controversy surrounding the Iberian wolf is its impact on livestock. Livestock farmers, especially in the north of the country, have repeatedly voiced their complaints about wolf attacks on sheep, cows and goats. In fact, some sectors of the rural world see the wolf as a threat that has worsened their economic situation in recent years.
According to a report by the Artemisan Foundation, which is linked to the hunting sector, it is estimated that in 2022 wolves caused more than 9,000 attacks on livestock across the country, with Castilla y León being the most affected community with around 6,000 of these attacks . However, it is important to note that wolf attacks represent a relatively small fraction of total livestock losses. Animal deaths caused by disease, accidents and other predators such as feral dogs far exceed those caused by wolves .
The frequency of attacks and the effectiveness of measures depends on each autonomous community, although in general terms the territories with the highest number of packs are those where the damage continues to be frequent and very considerable. In recent years, there have been more than 8,000 cases and 10,000 heads affected per year, with an annual amount of €3.5 million to compensate for the damage and more than €4 million to implement preventive measures. There has been a loss of nearly half a million heads of cattle in the four autonomous communities with the highest number of packs (18.9%), a fact that contrasts with the increase in wolf populations in these territories and the overall increase of 26%.
Since the Iberian wolf populations were introduced into the LESPRE in September 2021, and since then hunting has not been possible (although control actions have been carried out), this population increase occurred when the species was still a game species north of the Duero. Therefore, hunting was not a factor that negatively affected their populations.
According to the Artemisan report, there are areas in Spain, such as the Ancares (between Galicia and Castile and León), where the presence of wolves (together with diseases) is contributing to the rarification and disappearance of game species such as roe deer and others such as the Gredos regional reserve where their presence has influenced the populations of male mountain goats and their population structure.
Conservation and management of wolves in Spain
In 2021, the Spanish government took an important step by protecting the Iberian wolf throughout the national territory, prohibiting its hunting in any region of the country. This decision was welcomed by conservation organizations, but at the same time it generated great discontent among livestock farmers, who considered that they were left unprotected against wolf attacks. Since then, the use of preventive measures to protect livestock has been promoted, such as the use of shepherd dogs and electric fences, but their implementation has been uneven and not always effective.
On the other hand, there are conservation and tourism projects that have attempted to show a more positive side of the wolf. In areas such as the Sierra de la Culebra, in Zamora, wolf sighting has become a tourist activity that benefits rural communities, generating income through ecotourism and wildlife observation.