New BOKU study shows: Where the wolf lives – and where livestock protection becomes indispensable

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The return of the wolf to Austria is having a lasting impact on pasture management. With the project “Habitat and conflict potential model for the wolf in Austria”, the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) is now providing the first scientifically sound basis for understanding where in Austria the wolf finds suitable habitats, where conflicts with grazing livestock arise and which measures can reduce the risk.

The study was conducted under the direction of Dr. Jennifer Hatlauf and Prof. Dr. Klaus Hackländer, together with Matthias Amon, Luca Fuchs, Jörg Fabian Knufinke and Florian Kunz. The project was financed by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Climate and Environmental Protection, Regions and Water Management as well as the offices of the provincial governments of Lower Austria, Upper Austria, Styria, Tyrol, Carinthia, Salzburg and Vorarlberg.

Wolf habitat – an Austria-wide picture

The BOKU researchers show that the wolf finds suitable living conditions in large parts of Austria. The Alpine regions and the Mühlviertel and Waldviertel in particular offer sufficient prey, retreat areas and cover. The wolf spreads along natural migration corridors, especially across the main Alpine ridge and neighboring regions.

Instead of rigid demarcations such as “wolf zones” or “wolf-free areas”, the study advocates regional management approaches that combine ecological suitability, grazing density and social acceptance. This shifts the focus from the “whether” to the “how” of coexistence.

Conflict and crack potential: where the risks lie

The tear and conflict model, which calculates the probability of livestock tears depending on landscape, grazing animal species and farm structures, is particularly valuable for practice and administration. The results show clear regional differences: In Vorarlberg, Tyrol, Salzburg, Carinthia and Styria, the risk of wolf kills is particularly high, especially in areas with sheep farming near forests or on remote alpine pastures.

According to the model, these districts are considered hotspots: Red where Livestock are extremely vulnerable and Green where they are less vulnerable.

In other words, areas where suitable wolf habitat and intensive pasture management overlap. The study thus provides the first quantified, Austria-wide comparable risk assessment on which prevention strategies can be specifically based.

Livestock protection works – and changes the conflict map

The BOKU study modeled the influence of different levels of herd protection – from minimum to maximum support. The result is clear: the more consistently livestock protection is practiced, the lower the potential for conflict. Where there are no protective measures, the conflict values remain consistently high – regardless of the number of wolves.

This modeling proves scientifically for the first time that livestock protection is not just theoretical, but has a demonstrably measurable effect. Measures such as electric fences, night pens and Livestock guarding dogs significantly reduce the risk. At the same time, the authors emphasize that financial aid alone is not enough: Livestock protection also requires practical support, coordination, training and social acceptance in order to be successful in the long term.

Monitoring: data gaps and need for improvement

Another important finding concerns the quality of the data on which wolf management is based. The BOKU researchers found that monitoring systems vary greatly between the federal states and are not standardized across the board.
This makes both the comparability of the results and the ongoing review of the models difficult.

A harmonized nationwide monitoring system is therefore recommended, which centrally records evidence of wolves, predation events and herd protection measures. Only a uniform database can make future models more precise and politically robust. The authors also suggest that the calculations should be updated regularly – every three years or so – in order to promptly record changes in wolf occurrence and grazing practices.

Looking ahead: the wolf is here to stay – management must adapt

The BOKU study draws a clear conclusion: the wolf will remain a permanent part of the Austrian cultural landscape. Its spread is stable and suitable habitats are available in almost all federal states. Instead of relying on short-term interventions, the study recommends focusing on preventive measures, knowledge transfer and comprehensive livestock protection.

The researchers emphasize that modern wolf management can only succeed if scientific findings, agricultural practice and social dialogue are brought together. The results of the study provide a solid basis for this – for all those who want to work towards a practicable and sustainable coexistence between wolves and livestock farming.

Study:
Habitat and conflict potential model for the wolf in Austria (Hatlauf, Hackländer, Amon, Fuchs, Knufinke, Kunz, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, 2025)

Funded by:
Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Climate and Environmental Protection, Regions and Water Management | Office of the Lower Austrian Provincial Government | Office of the Upper Austrian Provincial Government | Office of the Styrian Provincial Government | Office of the Tyrolean Provincial Government | Office of the Carinthian Provincial Government | Office of the Salzburg Provincial Government | Office of the Vorarlberg Provincial Government