A history of wolves in the Alps
Spot the pack of five wolves captured on camera behind the sheep
Wolf caught on camera by local enthusiast
At the end of the 18th century,
François de Beaufort estimated that there were between three and seven thousand wolves in France. They occupied territories stretching from the sea to the mountains.
However, wolves were not popular animals and they were the victims of organised hunting. By the end of the 1930s, the wolf was officially wiped out of France.
However, there has always been a population in Italy. Gradually over the years, the Italian wolves have migrated back into the French Alps. The first official sightings were in 1992 and 1993 in the Alpes Maritimes, sixty years after the last wolf was recorded in France.
The wolves have continued to spread west and north looking for new territories and the Southern Alps, with its wild and unspoilt mountains rich in chamois, mouflon, wild boar, deer and other prey is a perfect habitat.
More than half of the entire population of wolves now in France are thought to be concentrated in the Southern French Alps.
The wolf is still a very controversial animal, hated and feared by some and loved by others. It isn't unusual to see 'mort au loup' (kill the wolf) in big red writing across bridges in wolf populated areas.
However, it is now a protected species. In Europe overall the wolf is protected by the Berne convention as a priority species (annex II and IV of the habitats directive) which is written into French law. However, in France the wolf is protected on national territory by a ministerial decree which was made on 22 July 1993 after the first sightings of the wolf were recorded to ensure the overall protection of the species and it's habitats. It is on the red list of threatened species and classified as 'vulnerable' in France.
There is also evidence of the lynx. It's story is similar. Again it was officially wiped out of France in the 1930s but has always had a presence in eastern Europe. Gradually, like the wolves it has migrated in search of new territories and has sought out the Southern Alps for it's rich habitat. Very solitary and discreet, it's presence is only confirmed by rare sightings and animal attacks.
