In Saxony-Anhalt so far this year, 2026, 54 confirmed or suspected wolf attacks on livestock have been recorded. According to the State Office for Environmental Protection (LAU) and its Wolf Competence Centre, a total of 185 animals were killed. The figures are taken from the state’s latest damage statistics and serve as a basis for further action by the authorities.
In response to the latest cases, the State Administration Office (LVWA) has issued a directive containing specific recommendations for action to districts and district-free cities. It sets out standard procedures for sightings, for animals found injured or dead, and following attacks on livestock. The directive also explains the responsibilities and legal options available to the authorities when dealing with wolves. The case figures cited in it refer to the state’s ongoing statistics for 2026.
Official data show that sheep account for most of the losses. Long-term LAU monitoring shows that sheep make up around 86.7 per cent of livestock killed in Saxony-Anhalt. The number of wolf attacks varies seasonally and tends to rise in autumn and winter. Experts attribute this, among other things, to the increased food needs of packs with young and changes in the availability of wild prey.
At national level, the framework is being shaped by a change in the law: in spring 2026, the wolf was added to the Federal Hunting Act This is intended to enable the Länder to act more quickly in cases of conflict. Saxony-Anhalt had already prepared procedures for making swift decisions on possible culls. However, according to statements made so far, no cull has yet been carried out in the state under these provisions. Separately, the state authorities point to existing compensation arrangements: damage to livestock holdings is reimbursed provided that the stipulated protective measures were in place.
For livestock keepers, the Wolf Competence Centre recommends using livestock guardian dogs and keeping a close watch on herds, in addition to fences suited to grazing conditions. Politicians and administrators are working to reconcile the interests of livestock keepers in protecting their animals with statutory nature conservation requirements. The state and districts are due to discuss further measures in the coming weeks. The governing framework remains the current LVWA directive and the LAU’s continuously updated damage statistics.
Editor: Andreas M. Brucker (Article created with AI assistance).