WELT Documentary

Wolves vs farmers: coexistence and conflict in modern Europe

Wolves vs farmers: coexistence and conflict in modern Europe The return of wolves to Germany has become one of the most divisive environmental issues in the country. While conservationists celebrate the recovery of a once-extinct species, farmers, shepherds and horse owners report rising livestock losses, fear and economic hardship. Wolf populations have grown rapidly under strict protection, spreading into densely populated cultural landscapes. Attacks on sheep, cattle and horses have increased dramatically, and encounters near villages are becoming more frequent. Political debate remains polarized between protection and population control, with EU regulations limiting action. Examples from Latvia and Switzerland show alternative management approaches through regulated hunting. The documentary reveals how the wolf has become a symbol of ideological conflict, testing public acceptance of conservation policy in modern Europe. 00:00 – Introduction: The return of wolves to Germany and the public debate 16:02 – Livestock attacks: Conflict between wolf protection and farming 32:35 – Wolf population in Germany: Numbers, expansion, and lack of predators 49:46 – Role of hunters: Calls for regulation and handling problem wolves 01:04:32 – Fear vs. facts: How dangerous are wolves to humans? 01:22:36 – Conservation and politics: Responsibility, funding, and disputes #wolves #wolfpopulation #wildlifeconflict #natureconservation #livestockfarming #ruralgermany #wolfmanagement #environmentalpolicy #biodiversity #humanwildlifeconflict #weltdoku #dokumentation #doku 📺 Watch more documentaries https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-5sURDcN_Zl8hBqkvZ6uXFpP3t55HU9s 🔔 Subscribe to our full documentary channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBAeFXaLV1ZqKqc-Uf3pKaA?sub_confirmation=1