Finland’s wolf population has increased by an estimated 46% year‑on‑year, reaching about 430 wolves in March 2025, according to new figures from the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke). The spring estimate ranges from 413–465 individuals, up from a most likely count of 295 a year earlier. Authorities also recorded 76 wolf territories, reflecting both territorial expansion and improved monitoring.
Growth concentrated in western and southwestern regions
Luke reports the sharpest growth in western Finland, especially the southwest, where new packs have formed and existing ones have expanded. Of the 76 wolf territories identified in March 2025, roughly 57 were family packs and 19 were confirmed pairs, indicating a broader breeding base than in 2024. The institute says data collection improved compared to last year, helping refine the national picture.
Reindeer herding areas: removals, permits and a shifting map
No permanent wolf territories were detected in March within Finland’s vast reindeer herding areas, which cover roughly one third of the country. However, signs of up to six packs or pairs were observed there the previous autumn.
By spring, those territories had disappeared after 26 wolves were shot under special permits, reflecting the long‑standing practice of targeted removals in reindeer regions to prevent livestock losses. Authorities identified 19 lone males nationwide during the review period; Luke estimates nine are likely still alive, most of them in the southeast.
Seasonal dynamics: why the March count is the baseline
Luke underscores that the March estimate captures the annual low point for wolf numbers—pups are typically born after March. Populations usually peak in late spring and then decline through autumn due to natural mortality and other factors. As a result, autumn counts can be significantly higher than spring baselines. With reproduction expected in May, the population seen in March likely understates in‑year peaks.
Eu protection downgrade and the debate on hunting rules
At the EU level, lawmakers voted in May 2025 to downgrade the wolf’s protection status under the Habitats Directive from “strictly protected” to “protected”, aligning EU law with the Bern Convention. In Finland, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (Maa‑ ja metsätalousministeriö) has for months been drafting legislation to enable population‑management hunting, arguing the current population level could permit tightly regulated harvests. Conservation groups oppose broader hunting and note the wolf remains critically endangered at the national level, even as numbers rise.
Public safety and coexistence: risk remains low but conflicts persist
Wolves occasionally prey on livestock and pets, feeding local tensions. While no human fatalities have been recorded in Finland since the 1880s, public concern spikes when wolves appear near homes or schools. Researchers and authorities point to non‑lethal tools (husbandry improvements, fencing, rapid response teams) alongside targeted removals where necessary. Luke expects the wolf population to keep expanding—potentially around 10% higher by March 2026—unless hunting rules change.
The 2025 assessment combines field observations, DNA sampling, verified mortality records and other research inputs. Broader data coverage this year strengthened confidence in the totals and in the distribution map of packs and pairs. Luke’s transparency about uncertainties—from seasonal fluctuations to roaming juveniles—remains central to the institute’s approach and to Finland’s wolf management plan.
What this means for the nordics and the eu
Finland’s surge adds to a wider Nordic and EU‑level discussion on balancing large carnivore recovery with rural livelihoods. As Copenhagen and Brussels re‑examine rules, Finland’s 2025 numbers will likely shape upcoming national legislation and cross‑border coordination—from damage prevention in reindeer areas to shared standards on population‑management hunting.
