Greece estimates its wolf population at approximately 2,100 and its brown bear population at around 760, as wolf numbers across the European Union have nearly doubled over the past decade, raising concerns about livestock losses, public safety and the coexistence of wildlife and human activities.
Michele Nori, a policy officer at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (DG AGRI), presented the EU figures at a conference in Thessaloniki titled Human Coexistence with Large Carnivores in Greece: Public Dialogue and Policy Co-creation. The National Platform for Large Carnivores organised the event.
Nori said large carnivores that prey on livestock create a significant disincentive for extensive grazing in 12 EU member states. Their impact also extends to animal welfare, biodiversity management and ecosystem conservation.
Sheep account for approximately 90% of animals killed by wolves, Nori said, highlighting the substantial indirect costs that often go unrecognised.
According to his assessment of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plans, 18 of the 28 member states covered by the analysis use CAP funding to support preventive measures and promote coexistence with large carnivores. These measures include fencing, deterrent devices, livestock guardian dogs, protective enclosures, and funding for labour, maintenance and operating costs.
The EU also allows member states to cover up to 100% of direct and indirect damage caused by protected species, including livestock losses, damage to agricultural infrastructure and equipment, and veterinary expenses.
Nori reported that EU countries spent approximately €18.7 million annually on compensation for wolf-related damage in 2022.
Greece Estimates 760 Brown Bears and 2,100 Wolves
Dr George Mertzanis, a specialist scientist at the Large Carnivore Observatory, estimates Greece’s brown bear population at approximately 760.
Authorities and researchers have recorded 300 incidents of illegal bear killings since 1996. However, scientific estimates suggest that recorded cases represent only about one-third of actual deaths.
Dr Nikoleta Karaiskou of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki’s Department of Biology said genetic monitoring could provide a more accurate assessment of bear populations, but researchers need funding to carry out the work.
Karaiskou also presented research into wolf attacks on beehives, based on hair and faecal samples collected across an area extending from Doirani to Lake Mikri Volvi.
Her analysis identified a single wolf moving through the area and causing damage, demonstrating how genetic tools could help authorities identify and manage individual animals responsible for repeated incidents.
Dr George Iliopoulos, a specialist scientist working with the environmental organisation Callisto, estimates Greece’s wolf population at around 2,100. However, he noted that researchers do not conduct systematic monitoring across sufficiently large areas.
Iliopoulos described wolves as opportunistic animals that do not live exclusively in mountainous areas. Their population growth depends on several factors, including the food they find in peri-urban areas.
Wolves and Bears Raise Concerns in Rural and Urban Areas
Dr Yiannis Kazoglou of the Hellenic Livestock Association, who lives in Prespes, highlighted the growing concerns among rural residents.
Although local communities live alongside wildlife, he said bear faeces appeared in the village square at Laimos, Prespes, in December last year, making residents afraid to walk around without a car.
Filothei Mela, head of the Thessaloniki Forest Service, said wolves had entered the metropolitan forest because the area offers food sources, including wild boar, stray cats and dogs, as well as food that people leave out for animals.
When wildlife began appearing in urban areas, particularly Panorama, the forest service worked with Callisto to deploy deterrents and encourage wolves to return to their natural habitat.
Mela said the service also maintains contact with local authorities and police and informs residents how to respond if they encounter wildlife.
Greece Prepares €3 Million in Preventive Measures
The Greek Ministry of Rural Development and Food is preparing an intervention package worth approximately €3 million to prevent damage caused by large mammals and improve coexistence between wildlife and human activities.
Evangelos Delis, an agronomist working with the ministry’s Pillar I Intervention Monitoring Unit, said officials would finalise the measures after consulting relevant organisations before issuing calls for applications.
The programme aims to:
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Prevent damage to crops, livestock farms and beekeeping operations.
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Improve coexistence between human activities and wildlife.
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Reduce human-caused deaths among protected species.
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Support biodiversity conservation.
Eligible agricultural holdings must lie within the habitats of large mammals, including bears, wolves, jackals and deer. Qualifying land may support maize, sunflowers, vineyards, orchards, vegetables, cereals and alfalfa, as well as beehives or livestock facilities.
Eligible expenditure may include purchasing and installing permanent electric fencing, wooden, plastic or metal fence posts, and modern deterrent lights known as Fox Lights to discourage large mammals from entering protected areas.
Officials Call for Cooperation and Reliable Public Information
Green Fund Director George Protopapas said effective coexistence between people and large carnivores requires cooperation among government authorities, scientists, environmental organisations and local communities.
Efstathios Stathopoulos, secretary-general for forests at the Ministry of Environment and Energy, also stressed the importance of cooperation among all stakeholders.
Panayiotis Parashos, a forester and organisational secretary of the board of the Geotechnical Chamber of Greece, said coexistence requires planning, cooperation and shared responsibility.
Participants also discussed who should provide reliable information when wildlife approaches populated areas.
Representatives from hunting, animal welfare, environmental and forestry organisations agreed that an official body should provide accurate public information about such incidents.
Kyriakos Skordas of the Hellenic Hunting Confederation, Dr Christina Nomikou, president of the Panhellenic Animal Welfare and Environmental Federation, Dr Nikitas Fragkiskakis of the Macedonia–Thrace Forest Policy Implementation Inspectorate, and Dr Tasos Chovardas of the EU-funded CoCo project stressed the need to examine reports of wildlife encounters carefully to prevent misinformation.
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