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Spain at a glance

Wolves mainly occur in northwestern Spain in a continuous population covering approximately 120,000 square kilometers, occupying approximately 20 percent of the map shown (range lines are not depicted). A small population in southern Spain is at risk of extirpation with one pack potentially remaining. There is a small population of 16 wolves in the Pyrenees that are believed to have migrated from France.

Increasing since 1970, the wolf population lives in many habitats, including well preserved mountain areas or very modified agricultural areas. The attitude of urban people toward wolves is generally positive and has been improving during the last three decades. However, rural attitudes tend to remain more negative due to frequent damage to livestock caused by wolves. Annual depredation costs are 2 million Euros. Main prey for wolves in Spain are roe deer, wild boar and livestock.

In this very graphic post, the European Wilderness Society says:

The Spanish government uses official population estimates to determine the number of wolves that hunters can kill. The official estimates count 2,500 wolves in Spain, based on reproductive individuals. However, the estimates are questionable from a scientific viewpoint, as not every individuals reproduces. Scientists predict that the official estimates are 30 to 50% higher than the actual situation. A scientific and governmental population estimate mutually took place in the Zamora region. Scientific results found 5 wolf packs, while the government identified 11 wolf packs. While European wolf packs tend to be smaller (4-7 individuals), the counts used the American wolf pack system (9 individuals). Based on the 11 wolf packs, the government determined the hunting quota. As a result, the annual quota of wolves that hunters can kill in Spain is unsustainably high, despite large protests.

Species Information

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Male Iberian wolf (J.C. Blanco, Spanish wolf biologist)

Species
Common Name: gray wolf, lobo (Spanish and Portuguese)
Latin Name: Canis lupus

Subspecies
Common Name: Iberian wolf
Latin Name: Canis lupus signatus

Current Wolf Population, Trend, Status
Number of wolves: Between 2,000 and 3,000, according to this article
Population trend: Increasing
Legal protection: Wolves are managed separately by region (including national parks) so may be considered a game species in some regions and fully protected in others.

Most recent data available: 2016

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