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Ecological and legal framework for the wolf population in the Netherlands now available
Clear ecological and legal favourable reference values for the wolf population in the Netherlands are now in place. This framework is set out in a research report by Wageningen University & Research (WUR), in collaboration with Tilburg University and the Belgian Research Institute for Nature and Forest, commissioned by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN). The study shows that the Netherlands are legally required to contribute between 23 and 56 wolf packs. WUR emphasises that, when developing wolf policy, not only ecological and legal aspects matter, but also the social and socio-economic consequences for, among others, agriculture, recreation, and housing, which have not yet been studied. These aspects were not included in this research.
What is the situation?
After an absence of 150 years, the wolf has returned to the Netherlands and is still in the expansion (settlement) phase. The population is therefore steadily growing: from a single wolf in 2015 to 13 packs in 2025. This raises important questions for society and government: how should we deal with wolves, and how can we meet our legal obligations? Until now, there was no legal basis for decision making or reporting on this. The new research provides that legal foundation and makes a crucial scientific contribution to policy-making on wolves in the Netherlands.
The report links to a recent ruling by the European Court of Justice. The ruling underlines that member states, such as the Netherlands, must make a national contribution to the conservation of protected species within their own territory – including the wolf.
What did WUR investigate?
The ecological and legal framework was established according to European guidelines, based on the available wolf habitat (such as forests and heathlands) in relation to the space a wolf pack requires. The study shows that, depending on how selective wolves are regarding their habitat, the Netherlands have space for between 23 and 56 packs. To maintain a healthy population in the long term and prevent inbreeding, at least 50 packs are required.
These figures confirm earlier data given by researchers. However, they do not say anything about the economic or societal consequences of an increasing wolf population in the Netherlands.
How was the research carried out?
Since wolves have only recently reappeared in the Netherlands, no historical data are available as a reference. The researchers therefore used modelling techniques combining information on suitable landscapes, such as forests and heathlands, with scientific knowledge including GPS data from collared wolves in Germany. The research method follows the guidelines of the European Commission.
What are the next steps?
This study was commissioned by the Ministry of LVVN, which explicitly limited the scope to the ecological and legal framework for wolves in the Netherlands. WUR is very aware that broader political decision-making will require additional research to better understand the socio-economic and societal implications of a larger wolf population. How these wider interests are weighed alongside the ecological and legal framework established here is ultimately for politicians and policymakers to decide.