After more than a century and a half, the gray wolf is once again becoming part of the Czech landscape.

The Krkonoše Mountains and their surrounding areas are now among the regions where wolves are once again establishing permanent populations. According to our estimates, there are 2–3 wolf territories within the KRNAP, with an estimated population of at least 11 individuals. Successful reproduction occurred in both known territories during the past wolf year (i.e., May 1, 2025–April 30, 2026).

The KRNAP Administration, in collaboration with Mendel University in Brno, conducts year-round monitoring of the wolf population using camera traps, genetic sample collection, regular transects, and patrols. In the second half of February, the KRNAP Administration organized the second annual winter mapping of carnivores, which was aided by favorable snow conditions. A total of 50 employees (rangers, foresters, and specialists) collectively covered 400 km across 39 routes in a single day. They managed to record 35 signs of gray wolf presence (droppings of various ages, tracks, urine, and killed prey). The winter survey once again confirmed the estimate of 2–3 packs within the KRNAP territory, and based on the number of track trails found, eight individuals were tracked that day. The survey was conducted in cooperation with the Karkonosze National Park.

Although the return of the wolf brings significant benefits to the balance of the Czech landscape, it also presents many challenges. In 2025, 53 reported attacks on livestock were recorded in the Krkonoše Mountains. The main wave of attacks began in June and subsided in September. A total of 27 farmers suffered damage, with just under 50% of the damage occurring on the properties of four of them. The KRNAP Administration continues to make intensive efforts to inform and collaborate with livestock farmers. In consultation with the farmers, we direct our wolf monitoring efforts to areas where attacks are occurring and assess the quality of fencing. Farmers receive information about current damage incidents, appropriate preventive measures, subsidy support for acquiring such measures, the compensation system for livestock killed by wolves, and options for compensation for losses due to reduced grazing capacity resulting from the presence of wolves. The KRNAP Administration continues to offer the option of temporarily borrowing nets, power sources, or additional elements for securing pastures (so-called scare devices—fladry).

The KRNAP Administration recommends that livestock farmers, in particular, herd their animals into secure areas at night, use herding dogs, and regularly monitor their herds.

The KRNAP Administration, together with MENDELU and the Nature Conservation Agency, is also devoting considerable effort to informing the public. Professional training for staff, seminars for farmers, lectures for the public, schools, and kindergartens, as well as other educational activities, are currently underway. The goal is to promote coexistence between humans and wolves while seeking ways to make life easier for farmers in areas where this predator is present.

The wolf poses no threat to visitors to the Krkonoše Mountains. However, in the (extremely rare) event of an encounter between a human and a wolf, it is still advisable to exercise caution. In the event of a close encounter with a wolf, it is advisable to scare the animal away by shouting loudly, making noise, or throwing small objects in its direction, and then report the incident to the KRNAP Administration.

When out in nature, the public should keep dogs on a leash, not only for the safety of the dogs themselves but also for the safety of all wild and domestic animals. KRNAP asks visitors to keep their dogs on a leash even near pastures, out of consideration for herding dogs, which could come into conflict with free-roaming dogs or be disturbed while working or resting.

KRNAP strongly urges visitors not to attempt to feed wolves or leave potential food sources or food scraps for them in the wild. Property owners, cabin owners, and vacation home owners should not leave food scraps outdoors. Getting wolves accustomed to the idea that humans are a source of easy food is the worst thing we can do to the wolves and to our coexistence with them.

The wolf has its place in nature and in our culture. It inspires respect and admiration, but sometimes also fear. People once mercilessly hunted it; now it is gradually returning to us and fulfilling its role as an apex predator. Experience from Europe and the Czech Republic already shows that it is possible to manage the landscape while wild carnivores coexist within it.

The return of the wolf to the Krkonoše Mountains represents a significant natural process and proof that the Czech landscape can once again provide a habitat for large carnivores. The future of this species will depend primarily on the ability to strike a balance between nature conservation and the needs of the people who live and work in these areas.

Source: KRNAP Press Release