Significant Growth in Finland’s Wolf Population
Finland’s wolf population has seen a remarkable surge since early 2019, particularly along the western regions of the country.
Recent estimates from the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) reveal that the number of wolf packs has risen to about 30, marking a 25% increase from the previous year. Researchers believe that at least 24 of these packs have made their homes within Finland’s borders, while a handful drift back and forth across the border with Russia.
As of March this year, there were an estimated 216 to 246 wolves roaming Finland. It’s worth noting that many of these pups, typically born in April and May, face harsh odds; however, biologists have observed that approximately 40% survive the critical winter months—a significantly better survival rate compared to other predators in the region.
In 2019, the wolf population was estimated at 185 to 205 individuals, a slight increase from 165 to 190 the previous year. “The number of packs has grown particularly in western Finland, where we estimate there are around 18 packs. For example, in the Laitila-Mynämäki-Pöytyä area, we’ve observed three large packs,” explains Research Professor Ilpo Kojola of Luke.
Spring: A Season of Transformation
In Finland, wolves typically form pairs or packs, with Luke defining a pack as a group of three or more that share territory and travel together. This spring, researchers identified approximately 43 to 49 wolf territories across the nation, including around 17 known pairs—two of which are near the border.
“The spring of 2019 saw a significant number of pups, leading some of these pairs to transition into packs,” Kojola noted.
From August 2019 to March 2020, 27 wolves were officially recorded as deceased. Of these, 18 were shot under special permits issued by the Finnish Wildlife Agency, primarily due to property damage concerns, with police involvement in several cases. Interestingly, instances of conflict were largely confined to the reindeer herding regions in northern Finland, where 16 of the recorded deaths occurred.
Additional fatalities resulted from traffic incidents, while two wolves were discovered dead under unexplained circumstances. Authorities suspect that poaching may be contributing to additional wolf deaths, although concrete data remains elusive.
As the wolf population continues to grow and adapt, Finland faces the challenge of balancing conservation efforts with the concerns of both wildlife and human communities.