Germany reports 3,783 livestock losses due to wolf attacks in 2025

In 2025, wolf attacks on livestock in Germany resulted in 3,783 killed, injured, or missing animals, according to data from the Federal Center for Agriculture and the Federal Documentation and Advisory Center for Wolves. This represents a significant increase compared to 2015, when 737 animals were recorded.

Sheep were the most affected group with 3,167 animals lost. Other affected animals included captive wildlife (303), cattle (166), goats (110), and various others such as horses and alpacas (37). Lower Saxony reported the highest number of incidents with 970 affected animals, a more than fourfold increase from 237 recorded in the state ten years ago. Lower Saxony also hosts the highest wolf population in Germany.

Despite the long-term upward trend, the total number of wolf attacks and damaged livestock decreased in 2025 compared to 2024. Nationwide, wolf attacks on livestock fell by 11 percent, while the number of damaged animals decreased by 13 percent.