The Eurasian Wolf

The Eurasian wolf is a subspecies of the grey wolf, known for its adaptability and widespread distribution across Europe and Asia.

Full Name: Eurasian Wolf

Latin Name: Canis Lupus Lupus

Classification: Mammal

Adult Weight: Typically weighs between 32 to 59kg.

Adult Length: Usually between 110 and 160cm nose to tail.

Lifespan: Typically around 6-8 years in the wild, but can live up to 17 years.

Preferred Habitat: Mountains, plains and woodlands

Status: Extinct in Britain since 1600s, found throughout Europe.

A lone wolf prowling in the snow © Michal Ninger

The Eurasian Wolf

Of all the large carnivorous mammals that used to live in the UK, very few capture the public imagination in the way that wolves do. More so than the elusive lynx, and perhaps with greater familiarity - through their descendants, the dogs - to us than bears, wolves are one of the focal points around which the debates over rewilding often come together.

Why are Wolves Important to Rewilding?

Wolves are apex predators, meaning they play a crucial role at the top of the food chain, regulating the populations of prey species. This regulation prevents overgrazing by herbivores, such as deer and elk, which in turn helps maintain healthy vegetation and promotes biodiversity. The presence of wolves can lead to an increase in plant species diversity and improve the overall health of forest and grassland ecosystems.

Moreover, wolves help control the populations of mesopredators, smaller carnivores like foxes and badgers, which can have a disproportionate impact on smaller prey species. By keeping these mesopredator populations in check, wolves indirectly support a wider variety of species, from birds to small mammals. The cascading effects of wolf predation extend throughout the ecosystem, promoting a balance that supports a greater diversity of life.

The Eurasian wolf plays a vital role in maintaining balanced ecosystems. © Michael Ninger

Past Wolf Rewilding Efforts

One of the best examples of rewilding is Yellowstone National Park, in the USA, where the reintroduction of wolves triggered a trophic cascade that also saw the park’s number of healthy beaver colonies increase - from 1 to 9.

What happened? The presence of wolves meant that elk became more cautious and spent less time browsing by river banks and more time retreating into forested areas. This meant there was less risk of them over-browsing trees like willow and aspen - and as willow is crucial for beaver survival in the winter, this had a knock-on effect that allowed beaver populations to recover. In addition, it created healthier cottonwood, aspen, and will stands, improving habitats along the riverbanks.

The wolf’s sharp eyes are always on the lookout. © ambquinn, Pixabay

Current & Future Wolf Rewilding Projects

The Yellowstone project is one of the most successful examples of wolf rewilding at present. However, there have been plans in the uk that indicate a similar effect could potentially take place here.

‘Project Wolf’ which takes place in the Dundreggan forest in Scotland, doesn’t involve the reintroduction of actual wolves. However, it does use volunteers who are allowed to walk through the forest at unpredictable times. This is an action that mimics the influence of wolf presence on deer, keeping deer on the move and preventing them from browsing on any section of trees for too long. This in turn promotes the same kind of forest growth as was seen in the Yellowstone project.

Likewise, the ban on wolf hunting in Poland in the 1990s has seen a sort of natural rewilding process take place. Wolves from Poland have, as a result, been able to multiple and spread westwards. There are now sightings of wolves in Germany, France, and other locations across mainland western Europe.

However, there is one man who does have the plans and potentially the means to reintroduce wolves to Britain - specifically the Scottish highlands. Paul Lister, Laird of Allerdale, plans to turn some of his land into a wildlife reserve that Includes wolves and potentially bears. Whilst his plans are controversial for some, for others, they indicate a shift that could bring British landscapes back to what they used to be.

Once endangered, the Eurasian wolf is making a steady comeback. © Marcel Langthim

Intelligent and resourceful, wolves are masters of survival. © NickyPe, Pixabay

Physical Description

The Eurasian wolf has shorter fur compared to its American cousin. Their coat varies in colour, usually a mix of white and cream to shades of red, grey, and black. Adults typically measure about 76 centimetres (30 inches) at the shoulder, with males generally being larger than the females. Eurasian wolves have a distinctive white fur patch that extends from their chest, round their muzzle up to near their eyes.

Wolves are social animals, thriving in their pack hierarchy. © Petr Muckstein

Wolf Behaviour

The Eurasian wolf is highly social and lives in packs, usually consisting of around 7 members, although pack sizes can vary based on region and prey availability. Only the alpha male and female breed, and the rest of the pack helps raise the pups.

Eurasian wolves are generally more adaptable and less shy around humans than other wolf subspecies, especially in regions where their natural prey is scarce.

What Threats do Wolves Face?

Today, Eurasian wolves face several threats:

Habitat Loss and Fragmentation: Urbanisation, deforestation, and agricultural expansion have fragmented their natural habitats, reducing available prey and leading to isolated populations.
Human-Wildlife Conflict: Conflicts with farmers and herders over livestock predation lead to retaliatory killings, despite legal protections in some areas.
Illegal Hunting and Poaching: Despite international laws and regulations, illegal hunting persists, driven by the demand for fur and the perception of wolves as pests.

Historically, Eurasian wolves faced widespread extermination due to their perceived threat to livestock and humans. Organised culls, bounty systems, and extensive hunting campaigns across Europe significantly reduced their populations. In medieval and early modern Europe, wolves were seen as vermin, and various governments incentivized their killing. For example, in England, legislation enforced their persecution, and by the late 15th century, wolves were extinct in most of the country. Similar efforts occurred in other parts of Europe, with Sweden implementing a wolf bounty in 1647 and organised drives continuing well into the 20th century.

Once endangered, the Eurasian wolf is making a steady comeback. © Mas3cf, Wikipedia

A powerful hunter with a keen sense of smell. © Andrea Bohl

What do Wolves Eat?

The Wolf's diet primarily consists of ungulates such as wild boar, roe deer, red deer, moose, and other deer species. In regions with fewer natural prey, they may also hunt smaller animals such as hares and birds, and occasionally consume livestock.

Twins nurtured by the She-Wolf: the origins of Rome in ancient myth. © Marcin Floryan

Cultural Significance

The Eurasian wolf's cultural significance spreads a vast historical range, influencing folklore, mythology, and art in numerous societies. In European cultures, wolves often appear as symbols of both fear and respect. In Roman mythology, the she-wolf that nurtured Romulus and Remus, the legendary founders of Rome, is a prominent figure, symbolising strength and the wild spirit.

Distribution of the Wolf

The Eurasian wolf currently inhabits a wide range across Europe and Asia. They are found in their most significant numbers in Russia, as well as China, Mongolia, the Himalayan regions, and parts of Scandinavia, particularly in Sweden and Norway. Smaller populations are scattered throughout Central and Eastern Europe, including Poland, Romania, and the Baltic states. They have even been reintroduced in some areas of Western Europe, such as France and Germany, where they are slowly recolonizing their former habitats.

The wolf’s howl can be heard for miles, uniting the pack. © Steve Fehlberg

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