Overview
- The OFB’s annual estimate places France’s wolf population at 1,082 in 2025, up 69 from 2024, with a 95% confidence range of 989 to 1,187, indicating a stabilized trend.
- The state maintains an annual culling ceiling at 19% of the estimated population, which would allow up to about 205 wolves to be taken in the new cycle versus 192 last year.
- From 2026, farmers in the most exposed areas will be able to kill a wolf attacking their flocks without prior authorization, with a post‑incident declaration replacing the current permit.
- The regulatory change is slated to take effect after a national consultation that runs until December 19, and it preserves the rule that only attack‑situation shootings are legal.
- Jeunes agriculteurs and FNSEA condemned the plan as an “unacceptable renunciation,” calling the text empty and arguing it fails to provide effective protection for herds.