Wolves

"Behavioural research can show how wolves try to navigate a human-dominated landscape."

Highlight

After more than 150 years of absence, the wolf has re-established itself in the Netherlands. This raises questions about nature, safety, livestock farming and living together with wild animals. Wageningen University & Research (WUR) is at the heart of that social and scientific conversation, with years of expertise in wolf ecology, monitoring and human-animal interactions.  

WUR researchers are tracking the wolf using modern techniques such as DNA analysis, GPS tracking and modelling. We map out where animals settle, how packs develop and what role the wolf plays in the ecosystem. In addition, we are investigating the economic consequences for the agricultural and tourism sectors. This knowledge helps to better understand how wolves and humans influence each other in a densely populated country like the Netherlands, and what that means for nature management, agriculture and recreation. This knowledge is brought into the social debate to clarify whether and which measures should be taken. In this way, WUR is building a scientific basis for policy and practice: carefully and with an eye for both nature and society." 

In this dossier you will find our knowledge, insights and current research on the wolf – from ecology and genetics to management and social impact. 

Wageningen University & Research monitors the return of the wolf through DNA research. Faeces that are found are tested for DNA in our labs, to determine if they are wolf-faeces, and if so, from which specific animal. To this end, we collaborate with the German research institute Senckenberg though the CEwolf-consortium. This information allows provincial governments to take substantiated decisions on their policies regarding the wolf. Most wolves in the Netherlands lead a roaming existence, but the first female wolf has now settled on the Veluwe.

Fauna consultants also extract DNA from sheep suspected to have been slain by a wolf. Our research reveals whether a wolf is indeed the predator responsible for the sheep’s death within a month: the BIJ12 website documents these instances and the DNA results (only in Dutch). Each quarter a genetic profile is generates for these cases, to enable individual identification of wolves.

More about this topic (3)

News

Wolf on the move: first ‘GPS wolf’ travels over 2,500 km in just a few months

01/08/26

Since October 2025, Wageningen University & Research (WUR) has been studying interactions between wolves, people and prey animals within De Hoge Veluwe National Park. To facilitate this research, several animals have been fitted with tracking devices, and visitors to the park are being asked to voluntarily carry a GPS tracker.

Wolves
News

Ecological and legal framework for the wolf population in the Netherlands now available

wolf lying down in nature
09/22/25

Clear ecological and legal favourable reference values for the wolf population in the Netherlands are now in place. This framework is set out in a research report by Wageningen University & Research (WUR), in collaboration with Tilburg University and the Belgian Research Institute for Nature and Forest, commissioned by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN).

Wolves
News

We must learn to live alongside wolves

10/06/21

Wolves have returned to the Netherlands. Over the past few years, the animals have started passing through the Netherlands, with a number of them deciding to settle here. “It’s a unique situation,” says researcher Hugh Jansman. “Wolves have never previously established themselves in a country so densely populated by humans and livestock.” The report published on 6 October sets out all the findings.

Wolves

More about our expertise

Animal Research at WUR – knowledge about animals for a sustainable future

Researcher attaches a tracker to a sheep

Society is asking ever more pressing questions about animals and the way in which we live alongside them. How can we produce healthy food with the least possible impact on our environment and climate? What is needed for humane livestock farming? How do we protect endangered species and restore biodiversity and ecosystems? How do we prevent zoonoses and safeguard animal welfare in a sustainable food system?

Ecological genetics

Molecular genetic techniques are becoming increasingly important for the study of biodiversity and nature conservation.

Environmental research

Within the domain of the green living environment, we develop knowledge and solutions that contribute to sustainable land and water use, nature restoration and a climate-resilient environment. We combine scientific expertise with a strong focus on practical applicability, enabling policy and practice to respond effectively to today's and tomorrow's challenges. Our strength lies in combining disciplines, from ecology to geo-information, to approach complex challenges in an integrated way. In this way, we support governments, businesses and societal organisations in achieving their ambitions for a sustainable and future-proof living environment.

Social & economic research

Areal view of people walking in a square.

Social and economic research at WUR drives fair and sustainable food systems through evidence-based insight. By combining behavioural, economic and policy analysis, we uncover the forces shaping change and design effective interventions for equity, resilience and sustainability. Our interdisciplinary approach supports meaningful transformation across global food systems.

Wildlife Ecology and Conservation

The Wildlife Ecology and Conservation group studies how humans influence wildlife. We examine both direct mechanisms like hunting and fire, and mechanisms that are more indirect and that are part of larger-scale processes, such as climate change.

Reports about the wolf

Read more about our publications on the wolf. 

Contact

Do you have a question about the wolf or the wolf population in the Netherlands? Ask it to our spokesperson.

VFP (Vincent) Koperdraat

Media Relations / Spokesperson

Biodiversity and resilient ecosystems

How do we reverse the loss of biodiversity? That's one of the questions our scientists are finding answers to.

Go to Biodiversity and resilient ecosystems