Rovdjurscentret De 5 Stora

Wolf - Canis lupus

Some people equate the wolf with something that is bad or can cause discomfort. It is for them the symbol of a series of negative happenings It includes everything from lack of freedom, a threat to life quality, suppression, bureaucracy and centralized governing. All these opinions have a long history. 

Other people nearly promote the wolf to the status of a saint. They associate him with generosity, freedom, wild life, strength, power, ability to hunt and other positive values.

In the 1950’s, after centuries of pursuit, the wolf was considered to be exterminated in Sweden. But the wolf reappeared in 1977 first in Norrbotten and a couple of years later in Värmland. The first rejuvenation took place in Nyskoga, Värmland in 1983. The wolf cubs born then and there laid the foundation to the strain of wolves, now living in Norway and Sweden. With the help of DNA technique it was found out, that they originate from Finland/Russia and are not related to the families that have been living in Sweden in earlier years.

From that period on, the wolf strain has grown, mostly in middle Sweden. During the 1990’s the wolf strain showed an annual growth of approx. 25%. 

Outside of northern Europe most of the wolves are living in the large tundra and taiga areas in North America, Europe and Asia. Researchers estimate the total number of wolves in the world at approx. 250 000.