Who is afraid of the evil wolf? According to the survey, not so many

Titled: Embracing the Grey Ghost: Public Attitudes Toward Wolf Reintroduction in Baden-Württemberg

A poll conducted by the Allensbach Institute for Public Opinion Research indicates that the majority of Baden-Württemberg inhabitants are not sharing the farmers' and livestock keepers' concerns regarding the return of the near-extinct wolves to their land. In fact, half of the surveyed individuals welcomed the wolf's return to the region, while only 20% expressed opposition.

In Baden-Württemberg, a modest wolf population can be found, with track traces of not more than four wolves persisting in specific areas for over half a year. A lone wolf resides in the northern Black Forest while three others and a pack with offspring govern the southern Black Forest. Comparatively, in the 2022/2023 monitoring year, as many as 184 wolf packs, 47 wolf pairs, and 22 solitary wolves were accounted for by the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) and the Federal Documentation and Advisory Centre on Wolves (DBBW) nationwide.

The survey revealed that the perception of wolves as a potential danger is limited, as only 17% rated their return as presenting severe risks. However, the notion of risks is slightly more prevalent in rural areas, where 20% of respondents associate significant threats with the spread of wolves. On the contrary, the majority sees their emergence as a positive sign for the state of nature, with 39% expressing approval. Moreover, 31% are delighted to discover that the country again plays host to wolves, while 1 in 3 believe that the discourse surrounding wolves is manipulative and heavily emotional.

The first pack (a bonded pair with offspring) in the southern Black Forest has triggered a new phase in the wolf debate. Alarmed livestock farmers advocate for less-restrictive wolf protection, and the majority of respondents (40%) support accepting "wolf attacks." However, limits are reached when it comes to what they deem as "problem wolves." Over half of the respondents (56%) believe that such wolves should be eliminated if they repeatedly prey on livestock, as per the legal framework that allows hunting or removal in exceptional cases. Naturally, only a small group calls for a comprehensive hunting ban.

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Key insights:

1. The introduction of wolves serves as a complex issue particularly for farmers who may experience increased losses from wolf attacks, leading to concerns and calls for protective measures.
2. Public support for wolf conservation is substantial, driven by educational programs and campaigns emphasizing the importance of a balanced ecosystem and the benefits gained from wolf presence.
3. Mitigation efforts focusing on facilitating coexistence between farmers and wolves include providing compensation for livestock losses, promoting collaborative research, and establishing effective management practices.

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