Distribution
SWITZERLAND
Since 1996 single wolf individuals have migrated naturally into Switzerland from Italy where the species was never extinct. Single individuals are found to date mainly in the Alps and Pre-Alps. Since its return, there has been confirmed evidence from all cantons except SH and BL. The first packed was established in 2012 at the Calanda between the cantons of Grisons and St. Gall. Further packs were established in the cantons of Glarus, Grisons, Ticino, Valais and Vaud.
Wolf records are also presented in the Monitoring Center.
Current evidence of packs in Switzerland and Liechtenstein Current evidence of packs in Switzerland and Liechtenstein
Data source: LBC, cantons, private individuals; Map: © KORA/GIS
Additional explanations regarding the pack card: Please note that the pack card is updated twice a year (March and November). This makes sense, as it takes time to collect the relevant information throughout Switzerland. For example, we can only fully assess the pack situation after the summer, when the reproductions could be documented. This is because wolf pups spend their first months in a den and only show themselves during the summer.
Furthermore, please note that individual animals and pairs that are not assigned to the packs are not listed on the map. The genetic analyses were carried out by the Laboratoire de Biologie de la Conservation at the University of Lausanne.
An updated pack map will be published in November 2024.
Pack regulation card archive
Packs in Switzerland: Regulation (until the end of January 2024)
Additional explanations: Individuals that could not be attributed to packs are not shown on the map. Also not shown are the dead individuals and animals that have demonstrably left Switzerland. Genetic analyses were carried out by the Laboratoire de Biologie de la Conservation of the University of Lausanne. The statuses correspond to the definitions in the Wolf Concept.
Source data: LBC, cantons, private, FOEN; Map: © KORA/GIS
Wolf records in Switzerland 2011–2023 according to SCALP criteria
Wolf records in Switzerland in the monitoring year 2022/2023 presented according to SCALP categories Wolf records in Switzerland in the monitoring year 2022/2023 presented according to SCALP categories
Additional explanations: SCALP categories (Red = category 1, «hard facts»; blue = category 2, confirmed reports; green = category 3, non-verifiable reports) incl. positive genetic samples. Genetic samples are presented according to their sampling date.
Data and analysis: LBC, cantons, KORA; map: © KORA/GIS
Wolf records in Switzerland in the monitoring year 2021/2022 presented according to SCALP categories Wolf records in Switzerland in the monitoring year 2021/2022 presented according to SCALP categories
Additional explanations: SCALP categories (Red = category 1, «hard facts»; blue = category 2, confirmed reports; green = category 3, non-verifiable reports) incl. positive genetic samples. Genetic samples are presented according to their sampling date.
Data and analysis: LBC, cantons, KORA; map: © KORA/GIS
Wolf records in Switzerland 2020 presented according to SCALP categories Wolf records in Switzerland 2020 presented according to SCALP categories
Additional explanations: SCALP categories (Red = category 1, «hard facts»; blue = category 2, confirmed reports; green = category 3, non-verifiable reports) incl. positive genetic samples. Genetic samples are presented according to their sampling date.
Data and analysis: LBC, cantons, KORA; map: © KORA/GIS
Wolf records in Switzerland 2019 presented according to SCALP categories Wolf records in Switzerland 2019 presented according to SCALP categories
Additional explanations: SCALP categories (Red = category 1, «hard facts»; blue = category 2, confirmed reports; green = category 3, non-verifiable reports) incl. positive genetic samples. Genetic samples are presented according to their sampling date.
Data and analysis: LBC, cantons, KORA; map: © KORA/GIS
Wolf records in Switzerland 2018 presented according to SCALP categories Wolf records in Switzerland 2018 presented according to SCALP categories
Additional explanations: SCALP categories (Red = category 1, «hard facts»; blue = category 2, confirmed reports; green = category 3, non-verifiable reports) incl. positive genetic samples. Genetic samples are presented according to their sampling date.
Data and analysis: LBC, cantons, KORA; map: © KORA/GIS
Wolf records in Switzerland 2017 presented according to SCALP categories Wolf records in Switzerland 2017 presented according to SCALP categories
Additional explanations: SCALP categories (Red = category 1, «hard facts»; blue = category 2, confirmed reports; green = category 3, non-verifiable reports) incl. positive genetic samples. Genetic samples are presented according to their sampling date.
Data and analysis: LBC, cantons, KORA; map: © KORA/GIS
Wolf records in Switzerland 2016 presented according to SCALP categories Wolf records in Switzerland 2016 presented according to SCALP categories
Additional explanations: SCALP categories (Red = category 1, «hard facts»; blue = category 2, confirmed reports; green = category 3, non-verifiable reports) incl. positive genetic samples. Genetic samples are presented according to their sampling date.
Data and analysis: LBC, cantons, KORA; map: © KORA/GIS
Wolf records in Switzerland 2015 presented according to SCALP categories Wolf records in Switzerland 2015 presented according to SCALP categories
Additional explanations: SCALP categories (Red = category 1, «hard facts»; blue = category 2, confirmed reports; green = category 3, non-verifiable reports) incl. positive genetic samples. Genetic samples are presented according to their sampling date.
Data and analysis: LBC, cantons, KORA; map: © KORA/GIS
Wolf records in Switzerland 2014 presented according to SCALP categories Wolf records in Switzerland 2014 presented according to SCALP categories
Additional explanations: SCALP categories (Red = category 1, «hard facts»; blue = category 2, confirmed reports; green = category 3, non-verifiable reports) incl. positive genetic samples. Genetic samples are presented according to their sampling date.
Data and analysis: LBC, cantons, KORA; map: © KORA/GIS
Wolf records in Switzerland 2013 presented according to SCALP categories Wolf records in Switzerland 2013 presented according to SCALP categories
Additional explanations: SCALP categories (Red = category 1, «hard facts»; blue = category 2, confirmed reports; green = category 3, non-verifiable reports) incl. positive genetic samples. Genetic samples are presented according to their sampling date.
Data and analysis: LBC, cantons, KORA; map: © KORA/GIS
Wolf records in Switzerland 2012 presented according to SCALP categories Wolf records in Switzerland 2012 presented according to SCALP categories
Additional explanations: SCALP categories (Red = category 1, «hard facts»; blue = category 2, confirmed reports; green = category 3, non-verifiable reports) incl. positive genetic samples. Genetic samples are presented according to their sampling date.
Data and analysis: LBC, cantons, KORA; map: © KORA/GIS
Wolf records in Switzerland 2011 presented according to SCALP categories Wolf records in Switzerland 2011 presented according to SCALP categories
Additional explanations: SCALP categories (Red = category 1, «hard facts»; blue = category 2, confirmed reports; green = category 3, non-verifiable reports) incl. positive genetic samples. Genetic samples are presented according to their sampling date.
Data and analysis: LBC, cantons, KORA; map: © KORA/GIS
Archive: Genetically identified wolves in Switzerland 2009–2021
Wolf evidence in Switzerland from the last 24 months (Status 04.01.2022). Genetically individually identified wolves are indicated with a symbol and a sequential number (M= Male, F= female). Yellow = transient animals, blue = resident animals, dark blue ellipse = pack, light blue ellipse = transboundary pack. Animals in the boxes are the descendants of the different age groups from the packs. Not illustrated are dead individuals and animals, which are known to have left Switzerland. The genetic analyses are conducted at the Laboratory for Biology and Conservation (LCB) from the University of Lausanne. The status is defined according to the wolf concept, appendix 4.
Data © LBC, cantons, private persons; Map © KORA/GIS
Wolf evidence in Switzerland from the last 24 months (Status 15.01.2021). Genetically individually identified wolves are indicated with a symbol and a sequential number (M= Male, F= female). Yellow = transient animals, blue = resident animals, green = pack. Animals in the boxes are the descendants of the different age groups from the packs. Not illustrated are dead individuals and animals, which are known to have left Switzerland. The genetic analyses are conducted at the Laboratory for Biology and Conservation (LCB) from the University of Lausanne. The status is defined according to the wolf concept, appendix 4. Data
© LBC, cantons, private persons; Map © KORA/GIS
Wolf evidence in Switzerland from the last 24 months (Status 16.01.2020). Genetically individually identified wolves are indicated with a symbol and a sequential number (M= Male, F= female). Yellow = transient animals, blue = resident animals, green = pack. Animals in the boxes are the descendants of the different age groups from the packs. Not illustrated are dead individuals and animals, which are known to have left Switzerland. The genetic analyses are conducted at the Laboratory for Biology and Conservation (LCB) from the University of Lausanne. The status is defined according to the wolf concept, appendix 4. Data
© LBC, cantons, private persons; Map © KORA/GIS
Wolf evidence in Switzerland from the last 24 months (Status 19.12.2018). Genetically individually identified wolves are indicated with a symbol and a sequential number (M= Male, F= female). Yellow = transient animals, blue = resident animals, green = pack. Animals in the boxes are the descendants of the different age groups from the packs. Not illustrated are dead individuals and animals, which are known to have left Switzerland. The genetic analyses are conducted at the Laboratory for Biology and Conservation (LCB) from the University of Lausanne. The status is defined according to the wolf concept, appendix 4. Data
© LBC, cantons, private persons; Map © KORA/GIS
Wolf evidence in Switzerland from the last 24 months (Status 31.12.2017). Genetically individually identified wolves are indicated with a symbol and a sequential number (M= Male, F= female). Yellow = transient animals, blue = resident animals, green = pack. Animals in the boxes are the descendants of the different age groups from the packs. Not illustrated are dead individuals and animals, which are known to have left Switzerland. The genetic analyses are conducted at the Laboratory for Biology and Conservation (LCB) from the University of Lausanne. Data
© LBC, Map © KORA/GIS
Wolf evidence in Switzerland from the last 24 months (Status 31.12.2016). Genetically individually identified wolves are indicated with a symbol and a sequential number (M= Male, F= female). Not illustrated are dead individuals and animals, which are known to have left Switzerland. The genetic analyses are conducted at the Laboratory for Biology and Conservation (LCB) from the University of Lausanne. Data
© LBC, Map © KORA/GIS
Wolf evidence in Switzerland from the last 24 months (Status 31.12.2015). Genetically individually identified wolves are indicated with a symbol and a sequential number (M= Male, F= female). Not illustrated are dead individuals and animals, which are known to have left Switzerland. The genetic analyses are conducted at the Laboratory for Biology and Conservation (LCB) from the University of Lausanne. Data
© LBC, Map © KORA/GIS
Wolf evidence in Switzerland from the last 24 months (Status 31.12.2014). Genetically individually identified wolves are indicated with a symbol and a sequential number (M= Male, F= female). Yellow square = Genetic record without individual identification (not possible or not yet accomplished). Not illustrated are dead individuals from earlier years and animals, which are known to have left Switzerland. The three pups of the Calanda pack are grouped into one larger circle. The genetic analyses are conducted at the Laboratory for Biology and Conservation (LCB) from the University of Lausanne. Data
© LBC, Map © KORA/GIS
Wolf evidence in Switzerland from the last 24 months (Status 31.12.2013). Genetically individually identified wolves are indicated with a symbol and a sequential number (M= Male, F= female). Yellow square = unknown individual, crosses = Dead individuals. The genetic analyses are conducted at the Laboratory for Biology and Conservation (LCB) from the University of Lausanne. Data
© LBC, Map © KORA/GIS
Wolf evidence in Switzerland from the last 24 months (Status 31.12.2012). Genetically individually identified wolves are indicated with a symbol and a sequential number. M= Male (circle), F= female (triangle). The genetic analyses are conducted at the Laboratory for Biology and Conservation (LCB) from the University of Lausanne. Data
© LBC, Map © KORA/GIS
Wolf evidence in Switzerland from the last 24 months (Status 31.12.2011). Genetically individually identified wolves are indicated with a symbol and a sequential number. M= Male (circle), F= female (triangle). The genetic analyses are conducted at the Laboratory for Biology and Conservation (LCB) from the University of Lausanne. Data
© LBC, Map © KORA/GIS
Wolf evidence in Switzerland from the last 24 months (Status 31.12.2010). Genetically individually identified wolves are indicated with a symbol and a sequential number. M= Male (circle), F= female (triangle). The genetic analyses are conducted at the Laboratory for Biology and Conservation (LCB) from the University of Lausanne. Data
© LBC, Map © KORA/GIS
Wolf evidence in Switzerland from the last 24 months (Status 31.12.2009). Genetically individually identified wolves are indicated with a symbol and a sequential number. M= Male (circle), F= female (triangle). The genetic analyses are conducted at the Laboratory for Biology and Conservation (LCB) from the University of Lausanne. Data
© LBC, Map © KORA/GIS
ALPS
The Wolf Alpine Group is an informal group of experts of wild animal research and management. It meets every two years in one of the Alpine countries for an exchange of experiences and to discuss and coordinate the monitoring of wolves. The wolf has recolonised the Alps from the Italian Apennine mountains. Consequently, the recolonisation has progressed furthest in the south-western Alps. Sometimes, wolves from other populations are reaching the Alps, too. For example, the Lessini pack east of Lake Garda was established by a female from the south-western Alps and a male from the Dinaric mountains. The eastern and central Alps are even more sparsely populated than the western Alps.
Wolf occurance and reproductive units in the alps 2020–2021 (©Wolf Alpine Group) Wolf occurance and reproductive units in the alps 2020–2021 (©Wolf Alpine Group)
EUROPE
Monitoring and management are traditionally organised by individual countries. However, all viable wolf populations expand over international boundaries. The network Large Carnivore Initiative for Europe, an IUCN/SSC specialist group, periodically collects the most recent data on the status, management and distribution of the carnivores in Europe. The most recent report dates from 2022.
Recent survey:
Earlier surveys:
- European assessment of the Wolf for the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (2018)
- Status, management and distribution of large carnivores – bear, lynx, wolf & wolverine – in Europe. Part I (2013)
- Status, management and distribution of large carnivores – bear, lynx, wolf & wolverine – in Europe. Part II (2013)
- Guidelines for Population Level Management Plans for Large Carnivores (2008)
© LCIE © LCIE
Wolf distribution in Europe (archive)
Distribution of the wolf in Europe based on a 10×10 km grid and data from 2012–2016. Dark green = permanent presence (presence confirmed in at least 3 of the 5 years, or reproduction confirmed within the last 3 years), light green = sporadic presence (presence confirmed in less than 3 of the 5 years), grey = presence without detailed information. No data was available from country areas coloured white.
© LCIE
GLOBAL
The Grey Wolf was the cosmopolitan in the animal world: this species once had the largest distribution of any mammal. Originally, it was widespread over the entire northern hemisphere, from North America to Europa and Asia. During the last century however, it was exterminated from large parts of its original range. Since awareness of the importance of maintaining an intact ecosystem is increasing, the grey wolf has a chance to recover its population status and recolonize its original territory, including Switzerland. The species is highly adaptable. It does not only occur in forests, but also in the Arctic tundra, steppes, deserts and even in regions with urban sprawl.
Global wolf distribution
The wolf distribution covers the northern hemisphere.
TAXONOMY
The grey wolf Canis lupus belongs, like the red fox Vulpes vulpes, to the family Canidae. Within the Canidae, the grey wolf belongs to the genus Canis as for example the red wolf Canis rufus, the coyote Canis latrans and the golden jackal Canis aureus. The domestic dog Canis lupus familiaris is directly descended from the wolf. The wolves currently living in Switzerland originate from the Italian wolf population that also belongs to the subspecies Canis lupus lupus but is genetically clearly distinct from other European wolf populations. In the future, wolves may increasingly immigrate to Switzerland from other populations, i.e. the Dinarc, Carpathian and the Central European lowland populations.