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Finland at a glance
Main prey for wolves here are ungulates and livestock. Wolves live primarily in central and western Finland, south of reindeer husbandry areas. Highest densities are found in Kainuu and northern Karelia.
Species Information
Species
Common Name: gray wolf
Latin Name: Canis lupus
Subspecies
Common Names: susi (Finnish), varg (Swedish)
Latin Name: Canis lupus lupus
Current Wolf Population, Trend, Status
Number of wolves: 150-180, according to the Natural Resources Institute of Finland in this report.
Year of most recent census: 2017
Population trend: Stable/declining
Most recent wolf data available: 2017
Human Relationships
Recovery and Management
- Finland has far fewer wolves than previously thought, census shows
- ‘It’s very scary in the forest’: Should Finland’s wolves be culled? (2017 article from The Guardian)
- Study: Engaging local residents crucial for co-existence with wolves
- Finland and EU embroiled in ‘wolf wars’
- Method of estimating Finnish wolf population size has been evaluated
- Finland’s iconic wolf population is declining
- Unusual friendship between wolf and bear documented by Finnish photographer
- Management Plan for the Wolf Population in Finland (pdf)
- Article: Legitimacy Issues in Finnish Wolf Conservation
- The Wolf Debate in Finland: Expectations and Objectives for the Management of the Wolf Population at a Regional and National Level (pdf)
- Wolf population on the rise in Finland (International Wolf article from 2005)
Ecology
Related Links and Information
Skandulv – The Scandinavian Wolf Project – provides current news and population information regarding the wolves in Scandinavia. Choose the British flag (far right) for English language.
