# Wolf management and livestock protection in Asturias

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/wolf-management-and-livestock-protection-in-asturias
> Updated: 2026-08-24T08:30:31.000Z. Sources: 12. Developments: 2.

The regional government of Asturias has authorized a new Wolf Management Plan to mitigate damage to livestock farming in the Cantabrian Mountains. The plan sets a quota to cull up to 67 wolves, an increase from the previous limit of 53 animals, and is intended to remain in effect until December 2027.

This decision follows a suspension of the previous management program in February after the Supreme Court raised questions regarding its legal framework. The new quota is based on an estimated minimum population of 412 wolves. The culling will be distributed across different zones, including 9 wolves in the central-eastern management zone and 18 animals in areas where the population has expanded.

The measure has drawn conflicting reactions. Livestock farmers generally support the quota as a necessary step to curb losses, while environmental organizations oppose lethal control, arguing that the species is not in recovery and advocating for preventive measures instead. Researchers have suggested that sustainable coexistence requires involving farmers in management design, providing recurring aid for preventive tools like fencing and guarding dogs, and accelerating indemnity payments for livestock losses.

As the program prepares for implementation in September, the scale of the issue is highlighted by data from 2025, which showed attacks affecting 3,893 heads of livestock and resulting in approximately 1.9 million euros in compensation. The plan targets an estimated population of 412 wolves distributed across 50 packs.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-24: Asturias implements wolf control plan to protect livestock

Authorities in Asturias, Spain, are implementing a wolf control plan to protect livestock following significant predation losses, while biologists in Chile warn of threats to sea lions from feral dogs.

10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/asturias-authorizes-culling-of-67-wolves-to-protect-livestock

### 2026-08-20: Asturias to resume wolf hunts with 67-animal quota

Asturias will resume wolf hunts with a 67-animal quota to protect livestock, amid calls from researchers for better farmer involvement and improved compensation systems to manage human-wildlife conflict.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/asturias-to-resume-wolf-hunts-with-67-animal-quota

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Cite as: Wolf management and livestock protection in Asturias. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/wolf-management-and-livestock-protection-in-asturias