Wolves back in Thuringia: Jäger reports of sightings in the Altenburger Land

In Altenburger Land, the increasing presence of wolves ensures attention and discussions. According to the reports by Jäger Max Becker, who regularly records wolf views in the district, the region is used as a passage area for these animals. In March and April 2023, Becker found the remains of two torn deer that indicate wolf activities. In another incident in December 2023, he observed a wolf between Gröba and Kammerforst. This was on a meadow in the morning and ran along a stream.

The situation shows that wolves in the Free State of Thuringia have been settled again for ten years. Three wolf territories are currently confirmed in Thuringia. While the wolf views are increasing in the Altenburger Land region, wild cameras near Lucka recorded a wolf in spring 2024. In addition, there are also reports from wolf views in Saxony, including Groitzsch. A wolf has been commuting between Groitzsch, New Zealand, Kammerforst and Leina for about a year and a half, which underlines the hiking behavior of these animals.

increasing problem for farmers

The presence of the wolves not only is an observation for the hunters, but also has a direct impact on farmers in the region. Siegfried Thieme, a farmer from Frohnsdorf, reports of losses through wolf attacks because he has already lost two fallow animals. Becker has no problems with wolves as long as they do not tear farmers, but farmers fear that wolves can overcome protective fences. Reports show that wolves protecting walls overcome by jumping, climbing and ditching. A fallow deer holder in Lausitz had to reinforce his fence several times to keep wolves away.

The monitoring of the wolf population in Germany takes place annually and is carried out independently by the federal states. In the monitoring year 2023/24, 274 wolf territories were found in Germany, including 209 packs, 46 pairs and 19 territorial individual animals. Wolves have now been proven in several federal states, and in Thuringia the way is also part of the inventory, which underlines the relevance of the discussion about their management and protection, as lvz.de reported. The monitoring and management of the wolf territories are of central importance to ensure a balanced coexistence of humans and animals, as in an examination of dbb-wolf.de