Top 15 countries with the most wolf population | Knowledge News

Approximately 400 to 1,100 wolves live in the Himalayan Region, while 4,000 to 6,000 wolves are in the Peninsular Region. Wolves in the Himalayan Region prefer colder and steeper habitats. At the same time, those in the Peninsular Region are mostly found in agropastoral areas with less forest density, covering an area of approximately 280,400 square kilometres.

There are two types of wolves: Red and Grey (Photo credit: Unsplash)

New Delhi: Wolves belong to the dog family. They are recognised for their smartness and bravery and are also known for travelling long distances. There are two types of wolves – the well-known grey wolf found in North America, Europe, and Asia, and the Ethiopian wolf, previously thought to be a jackal but now believed to be a wolf, living in Ethiopia. The red wolf, once considered a separate species, is now believed to be a mix of a grey wolf and a coyote. It used to inhabit the southeastern United States, but most red wolves now live in captivity, with some still found in the wild in North Carolina.

In the last few years, the population of wolves has declined. The current global wolf population is estimated to be between 200,000 and 250,000, with the main type being grey wolves. Human activity, habitat destruction, and climate change are the primary reasons for the decline in wolf numbers worldwide.

In this article, let us look at the countries with the most wolf population.

List of countries with the most wolf population

Source: World Population Review

Over 17,000 wolves live in 28 European countries. Austria has around 56 wolves, and their population is increasing. Portugal protects wolves and has stabilised their numbers at between 200 and 300 by compensating farmers for livestock losses due to wolves.

Spain has approximately 3,000 wolves, and hunting bans are in place in most regions. Italy has around 3,300 wolves, most of whom reside near national parks and are protected. Germany has a few hundred wolves despite protection measures. Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands have observed wolves, but the population is unknown.

Asia is home to a large wolf population, estimated to be around 89,000 to 105,000. There are around 12,500 wolves in China, mainly in less populated areas. India has about 1,000 wolves, but the population is decreasing due to farmers’ hunting. Iran has approximately 1,500 wolves, and the number is increasing because of strict hunting fines.

With the 1995 Wildlife Protection Law in place, Israel has a stable population of around 250 wolves. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, and Mongolia also have stable wolf populations.

Canada has around 60,000 wolves in North America, which are often hunted as wild game. The United States is estimated to have 18,000 wolves, mainly in Alaska, where hunting is allowed from August to April. Minnesota has around 4,100 wolves, which are protected in the state. Wyoming, Montana, Michigan and Wisconsin also have strong and healthy wolf populations.

Why is the population of wolves on the decline?

Wolves used to live in most of the northern hemisphere, but now their numbers are much lower for several reasons:

• There is less wild space for them to live in, meaning fewer animals to hunt.
• In the past, some governments tried to eliminate wolves by hunting them.
• Different states have different rules about protecting wolves.
• Some see wolves as competition because they sometimes hunt animals on ranches and farms.
• There isn’t always enough accurate scientific information about wolves, which can scare people.

Types of wolves

Currently, there are around two types of wild wolves in North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa: the grey wolf and the red wolf.

How do wolves survive?

Wolves rely on three key factors for their survival in the wild:

1. Sufficient prey population and density

2. An expansive habitat capable of sustaining their pack and prey

3. Human tolerance

While the first two requirements are relatively straightforward, the third poses a more intricate challenge. Regarding “tolerance”, we do not imply that everyone must harbour affection for wolves. Instead, it signifies the acceptance of wolves coexisting within the landscape alongside humans, allowing them to thrive freely.

The wolf is a big meat-eating animal that needs a lot of protein in its diet. Its main food sources are large animals such as deer, moose, elk, or caribou. Wolves also eat smaller mammals and occasionally garbage and livestock where human and wolf territories overlap.

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