The German Bundestag voted to add the wolf to the Federal Hunting Act as a “huntable species”. The bill, presented by the federal government, was approved on Thursday with votes from the Union, SPD and AfD, while the Greens and the Left rejected the proposal.
A hunting season will run from 1 July to 31 October. Member states and the relevant authorities are required to draft management plans that set out the scope of hunting, ensuring the wolf population remains in a favourable conservation state.
In the Alpine region, where wolf numbers are low and a favourable conservation state cannot be guaranteed, a special rule permits hunting. Future protected grazing areas can be designated, and measures such as fencing will be deemed unreasonable in places where fencing is difficult, such as high-mountain meadows.
The legislation also addresses so‑called “problem wolves” that display conspicuous behaviour and attack livestock. These wolves will be easier to neutralise. The return of wolves to Germany is seen as a triumph of wildlife‑conservation policy, but the spread of the species also heightens conflict risk. According to the government, in 2024 there were about 1,100 incidents in which wolves attacked livestock, resulting in the loss or injury of approximately 4,300 animals. Costs for herd‑protection measures were around €23.4 million, plus about €780,000 for compensation payments.