After a decade of significant growth, the wolf population in France is now stagnating – or perhaps even slightly declining. The latest official estimate, which the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes regional prefecture shared with Le Monde on Thursday, December 12, stands at 1,013 individuals. Previous estimations were 1,003 animals in 2023 and 1,096 in 2022.

Each year, this figure is closely awaited by livestock farmers and nature conservation groups alike, since it is used to determine the number of wolves that can be legally killed to protect livestock during the following year. Since 2020, the French government has authorized the culling of 19% of the wolf population – one of the highest rates in Europe. The prefecture confirmed that this rate will be maintained in 2025, allowing for a maximum number of 192 wolves to be killed.

"Once again, this estimate in no way reflects the predation pressure felt nationwide and what farmers are experiencing," said Claude Font, who is in charge of wolf-related issues at the Fédération Nationale Ovine ("National Sheep Federation"). "Attacks and damage reports are increasing. So far, 202 wolves have been killed out of the 209 that were authorized [for 2014]. Next year, farmers will be left alone to face predation. I'm truly discouraged."

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