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Environment

Large carnivore populations across Europe

A golden jackal portrait with trees in the background.
© Jan Nijendijk - Saxifraga

Populations

Large carnivores have made a remarkable comeback in Europe during the last half century. The ongoing recovery of many large carnivores in Europe is a recognised conservation success, made possible by protective legislation, more favourable public attitudes and habitat improvements. 

Having a common understanding of the distribution and size of their populations in Europe is important to make decisions regarding their conservation and management. 

The report Large carnivore distribution maps and population updates 2017 – 2022/23 is based on the latest information and provides the best available overview of brown bear (Ursus arctos), Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), wolf (Canis lupus), golden jackal (Canis aureus), and wolverine (Gulo gulo) distributions and population sizes at a European continental scale (covering 34 countries). 

 

20,500
individuals are estimated to make up the brown bear population in 2023.
17%
increase compared to 2016.
1.2 million km²
had bear presence in 2023.
4.6%
increase since 2016.
Ca. 9,400
individuals are estimated to make up the lynx population in 2023, which is a 12% increase compared to 2016.
1.5 million km²
had lynx presence in 2023.
21%
range increase since 2016.
However, a large part of this gain in range is due to changes in the monitoring method for the large Carpathian and Baltic populations.
Ca. 23,000
individuals are estimated to make up the wolf population in 2023.
35%
increase since 2016.
2.2 million km²
had wolf presence in 2023.
35%
increase since 2016.
However, not all change is likely due to wolf expansion, as monitoring methods have also changed; this is especially true for the Italian peninsula, Latvia, and Ukraine. The gain in area by these 3 countries alone accounts for 22% of the range change
Ca. 1,300
individuals are estimated to make up the wolverine population in 2023.
16%
increase since 2016.
745,000 km²
had wolverine presence in 2023.
4%
increase since 2016. 
150,000
individuals or more are estimated to make up the golden jackal population in 2023.
No reliable population estimates are possible, but the population is clearly increasing.
765,000 km²
had golden jackal presence in 2023.
46%
increase since 2016. 

Reference of data presented above: Kaczensky, Petra; Ranc, Nathan; Hatlauf, Jennifer et al. (Forthcoming 2024). Large carnivore distribution maps for Europe 2017 – 2022/23 [Dataset]. Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.3xsj3txrc

Uncertainties

Although the data presented here represent the best available figures for each species and country, there remain some uncertainties regarding the mapping as well as accuracy and precision of the population estimates.  

This is due to a number of reasons: