Five wolves removed in Carinthia in the second quarter of 2026 – state sees regulation confirmed

Justification of the state government

The responsible hunting official, Deputy Governor Martin Gruber (ÖVP), explained that ten livestock attacks had been reported so far in 2026. He attributed the comparatively low number compared to previous years also to the risk wolf regulation and the Alpine and pasture protection law: as a result, the number of livestock attacks by wolves in Carinthia had been more than halved between 2022 and 2025.

"Dass es noch nicht mehr sind, ist auch dem raschen Einschreiten der Jäger zu verdanken", said Gruber. According to him, wolf activity in Carinthia continues to be concentrated in the Upper Carinthian region.

Scaring measures and removals since entry into force

Since the first wolf regulation entered into force, risk wolves had to be scared away from settlement areas in Carinthia more than 800 times. Since then, there have been a total of 261 removal opportunities and 42 wolf culls, according to state data.

In the current reporting period, 42 scaring measures from inhabited areas were reported and documented to the State of Carinthia. In 22 cases, these measures subsequently also led to removal opportunities. This means that in just under half of the documented scaring measures, the legal requirements for a removal were met.

In total, twelve wolves have been removed in Carinthia in 2026 so far in compliance with the regulation and the law. Of these, five fall in the second quarter.

Legal framework and political context

The risk wolf regulation permits, under certain conditions, the culling of wolves that repeatedly appear near settlements or endanger livestock. It is used by the State of Carinthia as a supplementary instrument to the Alpine and Pasture Protection Act.

Representatives of the state emphasized that the interventions are always reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The aim is not to reduce the wolf population across the board, but to take targeted action against animals that have repeatedly come to attention.

The debate on dealing with wolves in Carinthia has been conducted controversially for years. While agricultural interest groups demand stricter regulations, nature conservation organizations warn against excessive intervention in the population. The figures now presented are used as an argument by both sides.