Wolves in Poland have recovered remarkably over the past decade, with around 1500 of them now inhabiting the country.
Only a few years ago wolves inhabited only the remote eastern forests and southern mountains. They can now be found all over Poland, even in woodlands adjacent to dense urban areas.
Wolf populations in Poland
Wolves in Poland are actually divided between three or four transboundary populations. Transboundary simply means that these Poland shares these populations with its neighbours across national borders. Some of these populations overlap with the lynx and bear populations.
The Baltic and Carpathian populations are the largest and most stable populations in Poland. These recovered first after wolves became strictly protected in 1998 (to understand how wolf families live and organise themselves, see the private life of wolves). This is partly because wolves were never wiped out from these parts of Poland. The Central European population on the other hand had until recently been extinct for decades. But amazingly, from being extinct 10 years ago, it has now recolonised almost the entirety of western Poland. Young wolves from this population are now migrating in search of greener pastures to Germany, Czechia and even Denmark and the Netherlands.
Finally, the Roztocze population – this is an interesting one. It was only recently identified through genetic analysis, and it may actually be a subpopulation of the Baltic population. The Polish part of its range is healthy. But most of the population lives in Ukraine, and we know little about how it fares over there.
The table below shows the four different populations of wolves in Poland and their associated details. Some of these may be underestimates, as official government figures suggest there’s now a total of 1400-1500 wolves in Poland, between all the populations.
| Population | 2011 Transboundary Population size | 2016 Population Size within Poland | EU Countries % share | Trend | Red List class |
| Baltic | ~900-1400 (5000 with BY & RU) | 400-450 | EE (20%), LV (20%), PL (30%), LT (30%) | Stable | Least concern |
| Carpathian | ~3500 | 300-400 | RO (70%), SK (13%), PL (10%, CZ (0.1%) | Stable | Least concern |
| Central European Lowland | ~300 | 180-200 | DE (40%), PL (60%) | Increase | Endangered |
| Roztocze | ? | 100 | PL, U | ? | ? |
Management Across National Borders
Ideally countries should share management of their wolf populations across national borders. And in fact, the Habitats Directive legally obliges EU member states work towards ‘transboundary management plans’. Though as of yet, no such plans are in place. This is perhaps unsurprising considering the logistics involved: some countries struggle to manage even a handful of wolves.
Moreover, with Poland’s eastern neighbours being outside the EU, Belarus, Ukraine and Russia have no incentive to cooperate. And in fact these countries routinely hunt or even exterminate their wolf populations. This unfortunately means that many young Polish wolves migrating across our eastern borders simply dissapear.
Sadly, Belarus has an extermination programme in place for eliminating 60% of its 1000 wolves. And Ukraine currently has more important issues than wolves and wildlife on its mind.
The countries to the north and south are somewhat in between. The Baltic states, which share the Baltic population, and Slovakia, which shares a portion of the Carpathian population, all cull many of their wolves each year.
Our western neighbours on the other hand are a safe haven. Czechia and Germany strictly protect their wolves – this makes them vast open lands to which our wolves can safely migrate.
Fun fact: Wolves in Poland only cost €100 a year each in compensation to farmers. For a little bit of wildness in our countryside, seems a bargain if you ask me!
To find out where Poland’s other iconic species live check out my other status maps of the lynx, bear and bison.
The best place to see wild wolves in Poland is Białowieża Forest. Join our 5-day expedition to track wolf territories through Europe’s last primeval forest with a scientist who has studied them for years.
Frequently asked questions
Are there wolves in Poland?
Yes. Poland has one of the largest wolf populations in Europe, with an estimated 2,000–2,500 individuals. Wolves are found across much of the country, with the highest densities in the Carpathians and in the lowland forests of eastern Poland, including Białowieża Forest.
How many wolves are in Poland?
Current estimates put the Polish wolf population at around 2,000–2,500 individuals. Numbers have grown steadily since wolves received full legal protection in 1998, making Poland a key stronghold for wolf recovery across central Europe.
Where can I see wolves in Poland?
The best place to look for wolf signs in Poland is Białowieża Forest, where resident packs have been studied for decades. Wolves are secretive and rarely seen directly, but guided tracking trips offer a good chance of finding fresh tracks, scent marks, and other field signs.
Are wolves in Poland dangerous to humans?
No. Wolf attacks on humans in Poland are essentially unheard of. Wolves are naturally wary of people and actively avoid contact. The perceived danger is a cultural legacy from historical times — modern research consistently shows that healthy wild wolves pose no meaningful threat to humans.
When did wolves return to Poland?
Wolves were never completely extirpated from Poland — a small population survived in the east through the 20th century. From that refuge they expanded westward after receiving full legal protection in 1998. The recovery is now one of Europe’s most successful large carnivore conservation stories.
Want to learn more about wolves in their most intact European habitat? Our old-growth seminar in Białowieża Forest explores wolf ecology, large carnivore science and rewilding over five days in the field.
We live in Kuflew, one hour east of Warsaw. We have many deer and moose passing through our property. Recently we were told that the forester found wolf scat in our part of the park. No doubt we have wolves around. But for sure I haven’t yet come across them. Any wolf watchers welcome to our airbnb!