Wolf Attacks Research Articles

Wolf-related damage in livestock management: Long-term data analyses in Saxony, Germany

The increasing number of wolves (Canis lupus) in Central Europe has increased wolf-livestock conflicts. Several studies have analysed the impact of herding styles and the possible influencing factors. However, short analysis periods and focusing on specific influencing factors can lead to ambiguous or contradictory results. This study used long-term data from 2000 to 2019 in the federal state of Saxony (Germany) to evaluate a broad range of potential influencing factors, thereby identifying critical factors that considerably impact the likelihood of livestock attacks or the extent of livestock damage due to wolves. Generalised linear models were used for modelling. Our analyses showed that small livestock were more at risk of wolf attacks when (1) the percentage of woodland in comparison to agricultural land was low, (2) wolf territories were in proximity, and (3) the abundance of red deer was low. In addition, wolf attacks were associated with more livestock damage when (1) sika and red deer were abundant, (2) livestock were held in small herds, and the number of farms was low, (3) protective measures were missing, and (4) packs held juvenile wolves. The information on fencing style, independent of the occurrence of wolf attacks, would significantly improve future research and may help minimise conflicts between wolves, livestock, and humans.

Performance evaluation of a prototype for the defense against wolf attacks on livestock animals

This study seeks to evaluate a prototype's effectiveness in safeguarding livestock against wolf attacks. With an increasing imperative to protect livestock from predation, the prototype's performance was systematically examined under diverse conditions. The study primarily aimed at assessing the prototype's ability to detect wolf attacks by analyzing noise variations inherent to predator assaults. Simultaneously, the prototype aimed to mitigate livestock casualties and foster coexistence between wolves and livestock. A series of controlled experiments were meticulously carried out, replicating real-world wolf encounter scenarios. The findings yield valuable insights into the prototype's practical utility and its potential to mitigate conflicts between predator populations and livestock farming. Overall, this research contributes to advancing innovative strategies for sustainable cohabitation between wildlife and agriculture.

Free‐ranging cattle and the return of the wolf: behavioral responses and implications for conservation management

Over the last decades, wolves have considerably expanded their distribution in Europe. Their range expansion even led to recolonizing densely human‐populated countries such as Belgium and the Netherlands. The few available studies on the effects of returning wolves in these landscapes focus primarily on the behavioral responses of wild ungulates, such as deer. While livestock in intensive farming practices can be protected against wolves, free‐ranging cattle in nature areas often have to protect themselves. How these cattle respond to the returned wolves is thus far unclear, yet highly relevant for conservation management. There is very little information about how free‐ranging cattle respond to the re‐appearance of wolves in terms of anti‐predator behavior and ability to defend themselves. In June 2022, a newly established wolf pair was located in a natural area in Drenthe. This natural area is grazed year‐round by free‐ranging Galloway cattle, a small and hornless primitive breed commonly used in conservation management. Here, we reported on the behavioral responses of the herd following two wolf attacks that occurred at nighttime in April 2023, the first caught on wildlife cameras in the Netherlands. During these events, the Galloways showed a clear behavioral response: they became active, restless and vigilant, and showed grouping behavior, presumably to protect the calves. Chasing behavior towards the attacking wolf was even exhibited by some individuals. The reported attacks did not result in killed or injured cattle. These two well‐documented wolf–cattle interactions show promising information as they highlight anti‐predator behaviors from an unexperienced cattle breed, all within a year of the wolves' return. We broadly discuss the relevance of these findings for grazing management, including selection for breeds, anti‐predator behaviors, and impact of herd structure and size, and we provide avenues for future research to address current knowledge gaps.

The New Face of Terrorism: Global and National Challenges

In the contemporary landscape, terrorism has metamorphosed into a multifaceted and dynamic threat, manifesting in diverse forms on both global and national fronts. This paper investigates the intricacies of this evolving phenomenon, shedding light on its new face amidst shifting geopolitical paradigms and technological advancements. Through an exploration of the complex interplay between state and non-state actors, as well as the proliferation of diverse ideologies, it elucidates the challenges posed by modern terrorism at both global and national levels. The analysis encompasses the emergence of asymmetrical warfare tactics, the proliferation of transnational networks, and the diversification of ideological motivations driving terrorist activities. Moreover, it delves into the specific challenges faced by nations, including the rise of domestic radicalization, lone wolf attacks, and vulnerabilities in security infrastructure. By examining these issues, this paper aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the contemporary terrorism landscape, highlighting the imperative for international cooperation, enhanced cybersecurity measures, and community engagement strategies in countering this pervasive threat. Through case studies and projections for future trends, it offers valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners tasked with addressing the complexities of terrorism in the 21st century.

Armed to Kill: A Cross-Sectional Analysis Examining the Links between Firearms Availability, Gun Control, and Terrorism Using the Global Terrorism Database and the Small Arms Survey

ABSTRACT According to the Global Terrorism Database, the use of firearms in terrorist attacks has been on the rise, and firearms-based attacks are the most lethal. In the aftermath of mass-casualty attacks perpetrated with firearms, policymakers across the world advocate tightened gun control to restrict terrorists’ access to both licit and illicit guns. However, academic research on the linkages between firearms availability, gun control legislation, and terrorism is scarce. This study fills this research gap by conducting a systematic cross-sectional analysis of the linkage between gun control, licit and illicit stocks of firearms, and terrorist attacks in 2015–2019, based on a novel dataset incorporating the Global Terrorism Database and the Small Arms Survey. Our estimation using OLS regression shows a strong relationship between the availability of firearms and the incidence of gun-based terrorism, especially for lone wolf attacks. Furthermore, terrorists in stable, democratic countries are comparatively more likely to select firearms as their weapon of choice. Conversely, strict gun control only slightly alleviates the overall risk of terrorism in stable countries but does not impact weapon selection. In unstable countries in the grip of intrastate conflict, gun control significantly reduces lone wolf-style attacks, while organized multi-perpetrator attacks are not deterred.

PERFORMANCE STUDY OF MULTIOBJECTIVE OPTIMIZER METHOD BASED ON GREY WOLF ATTACK TECHNICS

This paper proposes a performance study for the Multiobjective Optimizer based on the Grey Wolf Attack technics (MOGWAT). It is a method of solving multiobjective optimization problems. The method consists of the resolution of an unconstrained single objective optimization problem, which is derived from the aggregation of objective functions by the $\epsilon$-constraint approach and the penalization of constraints by a Lagrangian function. Then, Pareto-optimal solutions are obtained using the stochastic method based on the Grey Wolf Optimizer. To evaluate the method, three theorems have been formulated to demonstrate the convergence of the proposed algorithm and the optimality of the obtained solutions. Six test problems from the literature have been successfully dealt with, and the obtained results have been compared to two other methods. We have evaluated two performance parameters, including the generational distance for the approximation error and the spread for the coverage of the Pareto front. Based on these numerical findings, it can be concluded that MOGWAT outperforms two other methods.

Wolf contact in horses at permanent pasture in Germany.

Wolves returned to Germany in 2000, leading to fear in German horse owners that their horses could be in danger of wolf attacks or panic-like escapes from pastures when sighting wolves. However, reports from southern European countries indicate that wolf predation on horses diminishes with increasing presence of wildlife. Therefore, we conducted a long-term, filed observation between January 2015 and July 2022 on 13 non breeding riding horses, mares and geldings, kept permanently on two pastures within the range of wildlife and a stable wolf pack with annual offspring. Wildlife cameras at the fences of the pastures made 984 times recordings of wolves and 3151 times recordings of wildlife in and around the pastures. Between 1 January 2022 and 23 March 2022 we observed two stable horse groups. Pasture 1 was grazed by five horses of mixed breed, four mares and one gelding, with the median age of 8 years (min. = 6y, max. = 29y). Pasture 2 was grazed by eight heavy warmbloods and draught horses, three mares and five geldings, with the median age of 16 years (min. = 13y, max. = 22y). During this period no wolf was recorded at pasture 2, but wild boar several times, whereas at pasture 1, wolves were recorded 89 times, and for the wildlife mostly hare. Wolves may have avoided pasture 2 because of the presence of wild boar or because the large group of older, heavy breed horses may have formed a stable, protective group. The latter needs to be confirmed in a follow-up field observation, which records anti-predator behavior and welfare indicators in horses. In conclusion, wolves did not attack the mature horses on pastures with plenty of wildlife and the horses did not respond to the presence of wolves with visible signs of reduced welfare or panic. This indicates that wolves may prefer to prey on easily accessible wildlife around and at horse pastures and that Central European horses become accustom to the presence of non-hunting wolves.

Public attitudes and intentions toward engaging in reintroduction of wolves to Japan.

Reintroducing apex predators is an important approach in ecosystem restoration; however, it is challenging. Wolves (Canis lupus) were exterminated in Japan around 1900, and since then, there has been a lack of top predators throughout the country. Currently, the wild ungulate population is increasing, causing agricultural and forest damage. This has triggered an ongoing debate among researchers and nongovernmental organizations on whether wolves should be reintroduced to promote self-regulating biodiverse ecosystems. We conducted a nationwide survey to examine public attitudes toward wolf reintroduction (WR) in Japan. We sent online questionnaires to 88,318 citizens across the country. Among the 12,028 respondents, excluding those with invalid or incomplete answers and unqualified respondents, we obtained and analyzed 7500 responses that were representative of Japanese citizens in terms of some key sociodemographic attributes. More respondents disagreed with WR (39.9%) than agreed (17.1%), and many respondents (43.0%) were undecided. Structural equation modeling revealed that risk perceptions affected public attitudes, implying that the greater the perceived threat of wolf attacks, the less likely people are to support WR. In contrast, attitudes toward wolves (e.g., "I like wolves.") influenced by wildlife value orientation and beliefs about the ecological role of wolves (e.g., controlling deer populations) positively affected public attitudes toward WR. Those who had a positive attitude toward WR showed intentions to engage in behaviors that support WR. Our results suggest that the dissemination of information related to the ecological role of wolves and the development of a more mutualistic mindset in people could positively influence public support for WR in Japan.

Wolf (Canis lupus) Predation in Pastoral Livestock Systems: Case Study in Croatia

The predation of livestock by gray wolf (Canis lupus; hereafter, wolf) is a problem throughout eastern Europe and poses a threat to sustainable pasture-based livestock production in some areas. In Croatia, farmers have alarmed the public with news of frequent wolf attacks in the last decade, and wolves, as protected animals, are perceived as a pest and a threat. The aim of this study was to analyze and present the frequency of attacks and killed/injured domestic animals in Croatia. During the ten-year period (2010–2020), 13,359 attack events were reported, where it was determined, with certainty, that the attack was by the wolf. In these attacks, 19,111 domestic animals were killed and 4634 were injured. Predation events occurred predominantly (92.71%) in three counties located in southern Croatia (sub-Mediterranean Croatia), whose total area is 11,170 km2 (19.74% of the total area of Croatia). The most frequently killed species were sheep (64.78% of all killed animals), which was followed by goats (19.28%) and cattle (9.59%). The highest frequency of attacks and animals killed was recorded in the summer followed by spring and autumn, and the lowest was in winter. The majority of attacks (79.57%) occurred in the morning and during the day. The animal with the highest average number killed per attack was sheep (1.64), which was followed by goats (1.38), cattle (0.99), horses (0.94), donkeys (0.95), and guardian dogs (0.92). During the studied period, in the three counties with the most frequent attacks, 11.72% of the average goat population, 6.34% of the cattle population, and 5.61% of the sheep population were killed. Wolf predation in sub-Mediterranean Croatia presents a threat to the population of domestic ruminants dominantly kept in pastoral livestock systems, and additional efforts need to be made to achieve co-existence between the wolf population and farmers.

ANALISIS HUKUM PENGLIBATAN WANITA SEBAGAI PENGEBOM BERANI MATI BAGI KUMPULAN EKSTREMISME AGAMA

Suicide bombing refers to someone who carries out a bomb attack with the intention of killing themselves as well as others. The destruction of human life, particularly involving women, without proper justification is considered contrary to religious and humanitarian values. However, there are extremist groups that use women to carry out suicide attacks that are oriented around religious arguments. Therefore, this study was conducted to analyze the fiqh perspectives on suicide attacks, particularly those carried out by women in the Islamic State (IS) group. This qualitative study used a selected informant interview approach in addition to document analysis of the IS group’s Dabiq magazine and other written materials. The results of the study show that suicide bombings, lone wolf attacks, and the like by women in the IS group against any infidels or those considered apostates are actions that are contrary to Islamic teachings. They are considered forbidden and sinful. However, scholars have differing views regarding suicide bombers that are specific only to the context of the Palestinian state and not other Islamic territories.

Does Wolf Management in Latvia Decrease Livestock Depredation? An Analysis of Available Data

In Latvia, livestock depredation by wolves has increased during the last two decades. Most of the attacks occur in summer and autumn during wolf hunting season. Use of effective preventive measures in Latvia is low, and farmers primarily rely on wolf hunting as a depredation reduction measure. The total numbers of wolf attacks and number of affected sheep per year in regional forest management units were analyzed in relation to the estimated wolf density, extent of culling, and proportion of juveniles, as well as the sheep density and estimated number of wild prey animals. The response variables (number of attacks and affected sheep per year) were modelled using a negative binomial regression, testing the effects of every covariate separately and building models from the significant covariates. The depredation level was related to sheep density and estimated wolf population size. No reducing effect was found for culling, and an even greater depredation rate was expected when the proportion of culled wolves increased. In addition, no significant effect was associated with the other covariates. However, greater numbers of affected sheep were expected at higher red deer density, suggesting increased opportunistic livestock depredation when red deer locally outcompete roe deer, the preferred wolf prey in Latvia.

Wolves' contribution to structural change in grazing systems among swiss alpine summer farms: The evidence from causal random forest

AbstractThe return of wolves to Swiss mountains and the damage they cause to sheep and goat herds in the region have raised concerns about a consequent wave of farm closures. In this paper, we examine the relationship between wolf attacks and the decline of Alpine summer farms, a specific high‐altitude farm type. We collected farm structure data and monitoring data on wolf attacks between 2004 and 2021 and analysed them using a causal random forest method, enabling a detailed analysis of the relation between wolf attacks and the number of different types of Alpine summer farms at a regional level. The results show that the farming systems are unaffected by incidental and infrequent wolf attacks, but that a high number of wolf attacks in a region is related to faster decrease in number of grazing systems where sheep are most vulnerable to such attacks. In contrast, systems that allow for better herd protection tend to show an increase in areas with frequent wolf attacks.

Wolf attacks on hunting dogs are negatively related to prey abundance in Finland: an analysis at the wolf territory level

Attacks by wolves (Canis lupus) on dogs (C. familiaris) presumably are motivated both by preying and elimination of potential competitors. Regardless of these alternative motivations in wolves, the risk of attacks might be higher when the density of primary prey is low. We examined how many dogs do territorial wolves in Finland kill in relation to the population density of the most abundant ungulates, moose (Alces alces), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). Most attacks by wolves on dogs take place in hunting with dogs. The number of wolf-killed dogs was in highly significant negative relationship to the population density of white-tailed deer and to total ungulate biomass per unit area which is largely determined by the density of white-tailed deer. Our results indicate that abundant wild prey would decrease the risk at which wolves attack dogs. On the other side of the coin prevail two hard facts which wildlife managers had to take a notice. White-tailed deer, although a potential mitigator of wolf–human conflict, is an alien species and a partner in > 6000 traffic collisions annually in Finland. One factor that seemed to increase the risk of wolf attacks on dogs is the low ungulate density in regions where moose is the only remarkable ungulate prey. Higher moose densities could decrease the risk of attacks, but on the other hand, higher densities could increase the risk of serious traffic collisions and browsing damages in forests.

Factors Influencing Human Attitudes towards Wolves in Northwest Spain

Surveys have been used to study the current perception towards wolves by different stakeholders such as ranchers, landowners, hunters, experts in the field, and employees of the environmental administration in the provinces of Pontevedra and A Coruña, in the northwest of Spain. The main objective of this study is the evaluation and further discussion of the compensation offered to affected people for damages caused by wolf attacks and whether such compensations represent an improvement in the degree of tolerance towards these animals. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were found among the different sectors interviewed, with the hunters being the least tolerant sector, followed by ranchers. The number of attacks in the area was proven to influence their perspective toward wolves and the need for preventive measures. There was unanimity among hunters, ranchers, and locals, who do not consider the tools provided by the Galician administration sufficient to palliate the damages produced by wolves. However, 53.8% of ranchers, the group whose livelihood will most likely be affected by wolf attacks, and 60% of the wolf experts believe that compensation does not help to reduce tolerance towards wolves. Losing an animal makes people more likely to agree to the use of lethal and non-lethal methods.

Konflikt hodowca-drapieżca. Studium przypadku ataków wilków na jeleniowate fermowe

Since the gray wolf (Canis lupus) was removed from the list of game animals and placed under strict protection, the number of these predators in Poland has increased significantly. As far as the preservation of biodiversity is concerned, this is a desirable phenomenon, but one should not lose sight of the increasingly frequent attacks of this large predator on livestock, companion animals, and even humans. The natural predation pressure by wolves on populations of various animal species often occurs on breeding farms. Therefore, the aim of the study was to analyze wolf attacks on farmed deer on the basis of data from the Research Station of the Institute of Parasitology of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Kosewo Górne. The documentation included corpse inspection reports prepared by a veterinarian and photographs showing wolf attacks. On that deer farm, wolves made eight attacks on fallow deer (Dama dama) between July and November 2018 and seven attacks on sika deer (Cervus nippon) between April and July 2019. In two years, a total of 51 animals (18 sika deer and 33 fallow deer) were killed. Wolves selected mostly hinds and fawns, which were most numerous, while stags accounted for a small percentage of victims, and most of them were young individuals up to 2 years of age. Wolves consumed their prey only partially, i.e. no more than 1 to 10 kg of the carcass. Excessive killing, although not very common, also occurs on other deer farms. Predators attack mainly juveniles. Methods used to protect the deer on the farm from wolf attacks were ineffective.

Patterns of livestock loss associated with a recolonizing wolf population in Germany

Predation on livestock presents a daunting challenge for human–carnivore coexistence in agricultural landscapes. In Germany, the recolonization of wolves is ongoing and its consequences are insufficiently understood. Knowledge about which livestock species are susceptible to wolf predation, which farm types are predisposed to attacks by wolves, and when predation on livestock occurs is valuable for mitigating stakeholder conflicts. To this end, we analyzed 14 years of monitoring data and assessed the livestock prey spectrum, identified correlates between predation on livestock, farm type and livestock category, and described temporal patterns of livestock loss caused by a recolonizing wolf population in the state of Brandenburg (Germany). Among a total of 1387 recorded cases, 42% were unequivocally attributed to wolves (SCALP criteria C1 and C2) and 12% of cases were not caused by wolves. The number of head of livestock killed during a single wolf attack was mediated by farm type and livestock species; losses per event were greater in full-time farms vs. other farm types and greater in sheep, farmed deer and other livestock species, compared to cattle. While sheep were the most commonly killed livestock species, the increase in wolf territories over the investigation period was associated with a widening of the domestic prey species spectrum. Count regression models provided evidence for the increasing frequency of predation events over the 14-year period, along with an exponential increase in wolf territories. Predation on livestock occurred throughout the year, yet seasonality of events was evident and differed across livestock categories. Predation on sheep peaked in the fall, coinciding with the post-weaning period of wolf offspring. Predation on cattle peaked in the spring, coinciding with the cattle calving period. These results call for renewed investment in the implementation of prevention methods for all susceptible domestic species, particularly during times of elevated predation risk.

Dogs, not wolves, most likely to have caused the death of a British tourist in northern Greece

Wolf (Canis lupus) populations have recovered and expanded across many parts of the world thanks to conservation efforts, including improved legal status and restoration of their prey. Concurrently, public concerns regarding the risk of wolf attacks on humans and livestock are increasing as wolves occupy human-dominated landscapes. We examined a unique case in Europe allegedly involving wolves in the death of a female British tourist, aged 64, in northern Greece in September 2017. This incident received extensive international media attention and yet many fundamental details of the case area are lacking, including whether local livestock guarding dogs played a role. To assist in resolving the case, we conducted an extensive literature review which documented 13 criteria linked to the risk of either a wolf and/or a dog attacking a human. We also conducted a camera trap survey (October to December 2017) soon after the fatal attack to calculate the activity overlap among humans, dogs and wolves. Sufficient data were available for assessing 11 of the 13 criteria. For the remaining two, the required data were either not analysed (i.e. canid DNA collected from the attack site), not appropriately collected (i.e. DNA from the mouths of suspected dogs) or were collected, but misinterpreted (i.e. the post-consumption patterns of the victim’s corpse). Via this combination of evidence, we conclude that this case involved a fatal dog attack. This assertion is supported by evidence such as the: a) high dog-human activity overlap at the attack site which peaked during the attack time as opposed to near zero wolf-human activity overlap at the same time, b) presence of a large pack of unsupervised dogs, c) high ratio of male dogs in the dog pack, d) close vicinity of the attack site to dog owner’s property and e) previous documented aggression of these dogs towards humans. The consumption patterns, time scale and location of the victim’s remains indicate a posthumous consumption of the corpse possibly by the same dogs and/or by wild scavengers including wolves. A multidisciplinary approach, such as this one, in the assessment of putative wildlife attacks on humans can reduce misidentifications of the responsible species by forensic authorities and, therefore, prevent unfounded decrease in public tolerance for large carnivores.

A Model for Iberian Wolf (Canis lupus signatus, Cabrera 1907) Predation Risk Assessment on Cattle in the Central System (Spain)

As a consequence of the exponential increase of the demographic and technological development of the human being, conflicts with the natural environment are accentuated. Pollution or the loss of biodiversity represent examples of problems that we must face to maintain the balance between the evolution of human beings and the conservation of nature. However, there are conflicts whose origin is not as modern as those mentioned, and we return to the Neolithic to find the origin of the conflict of man with the great predators. This condition has existed since then and at this point in history, is reaching very high levels of tension in developed countries, as a result of the depredation of livestock. Wolf is one of the species that generates more conflict and is currently suffering a slight demographic expansion. Although current laws mostly seek their recovery and conservation, the wolf is experiencing great difficulties due to the poor social perception it has. Faced with this situation, a model has been developed using geographic information systems which categorizes the areas according to their probability that the cattle could suffer a wolf attack. Based on natural and anthropogenic variables of the environment, the areas with a greater or lesser probability of attack were evaluated, with the objective of designing a prevention plan to reduce or eliminate the attacks. Since different authors demonstrate that population control measures on the species are not effective in reducing attacks on livestock, the solution to the conflict should be based on preventive measures. The use of the designed model will enable the competent authorities to apply these measures optimally, reducing expenses and allowing to anticipate future areas of conflict.

Numbers and presence of guarding dogs affect wolf and leopard predation on livestock in northeastern Iran

Livestock predation can pose socio-economic impacts on rural livelihoods and is the main cause of retaliatory killings of carnivores in many countries. Therefore, appropriate interventions to reduce livestock predation, lower conflict and promote coexistence are needed. Livestock guarding dogs have been traditionally used to reduce predation, yet details regarding the use of dogs, especially the number of dogs per herd effectively required, are rarely studied. In this study, we assessed how the number and presence of guarding dogs in a herd can reduce livestock losses to leopard and wolf in corrals at night and on grazing grounds in day-time. Using systematic interview surveys (2016-2019), we documented sheep/goat losses per attack (predation rates) from 139 shepherds across 32 villages around Golestan National Park, Iran. We analysed the effects of the number of dogs, presence of dogs, presence of shepherds, seasons, corral quality, livestock number, dog size, distance to villages and distance to reserve on predation rates using generalized linear models. For the leopard model, dog presence significantly decreased (β = –1.80, 95% confidence interval –2.61 to –0.81) predation rates during day-time to 1.41 individuals per attack. For wolf attacks in corrals at night, predation rates significantly decreased (β = –0.29, –0.54 to –0.04) with increasing dog numbers. Also, shepherd presence (β = –0.56, –1.10 to –0.10) and herd size (β = –0.36, –0.60 to –0.12) significantly reduced predation rates. In the wolf day-time model, shepherd presence significantly decreased (β = –0.93, –1.74 to –0.10) predation rates. Our study suggests that (1) using dogs can reduce, but not eliminate, predation by leopards during day-time; (2) with every additional dog, predation rates by wolves in corrals at night are likely to decrease on average by 25.2%; and (3) the presence of shepherds in corrals at night and during day-time can reduce predation rates.

Wolf attacks predict far-right voting

Does the return of large carnivores affect voting behavior? We study this question through the lens of wolf attacks on livestock. Sustained environmental conservation has allowed the wolf (Canis lupus) to make an impressive and unforeseen comeback across Central Europe in recent years. While lauded by conservationists, local residents often see the wolf as a threat to economic livelihoods, particularly those of farmers. As populists appear to exploit such sentiments, the wolf’s reemergence is a plausible source for far-right voting behavior. To test this hypothesis, we collect fine-grained spatial data on wolf attacks and construct a municipality-level panel in Germany. Using difference-in-differences models, we find that wolf attacks are accompanied by a significant rise in far-right voting behavior, while the Green party, if anything, suffers electoral losses. We buttress this finding using local-level survey data, which confirms a link between wolf attacks and negative sentiment toward environmental protection. To explore potential mechanisms, we analyze Twitter posts, election manifestos, and Facebook ads to show that far-right politicians frame the wolf as a threat to economic livelihoods.