In a significant development for wildlife conservation, a new census conducted by the Ministry of Environment in Castilla y León has revealed a minimum of 193 packs of Iberian wolves in the region, marking an 8% increase since the last count in 2012-2013.
The data, presented by regional officials, highlights a particularly notable rise in the southern provinces of the Duero River, where wolf populations surged by 30%, from 27 to 35 packs. Segovia, in particular, remains the province with the highest number of wolves in this area, increasing from 10 to 13 packs.
Evidence of reproduction has been recorded in 87% of these packs, a significant improvement compared to previous years. The census indicates that the Iberian wolf has expanded its territory into areas of Segovia, Ávila, and Madrid through the Sierra de Guadarrama, as well as into La Rioja via the Sistema Ibérico.
Officials emphasized that this census is crucial for understanding the conservation status of the species, which represents 59% of Spain's total wolf population. Despite a slight decrease in percentage compared to 2013, the overall population remains stable, attributed to the establishment of new packs in neighboring regions.
Efforts to manage the growing wolf population will require careful coordination with local agricultural practices, as the expansion into new territories may lead to conflicts with livestock farming. The census aims to inform future management strategies, including potential changes in legal protections for the species.
The methodology used for the census involved extensive fieldwork, including tracking and monitoring through photographic evidence, listening stations, and direct observations, covering over 20,800 kilometers of terrain.
This census not only contributes to the national database on wolf populations but also aims to align with European conservation directives, reflecting the dynamic relationship between wildlife conservation and agricultural practices.