Wolves mainly occur in northwestern Spain in a continuous population covering approximately 120,000 square kilometers, occupying approximately 20 percent of the map shown (range lines not depicted). Increasing since 1970, the wolf population lives in many habitats, including well preserved mountain areas or very modified agricultural areas. The attitude of urban people toward wolves is generally positive and has been improving during the last three decades. However, rural attitudes tend to remain more negative due to frequent damage to livestock caused by wolves. Main prey for wolves in Spain are roe deer, wild boar and livestock.
Species Information
Species
Common Names: gray wolf, lobo (Spanish and Portuguese)
Latin Name:
Canis lupus
Subspecies
Common Name: Iberian wolf
Latin Name:
Canis lupus signatus
Male Iberian wolf (J.C. Blanco, Spanish wolf biologist)
Current Wolf Population, Trend, Status
Number of wolves: About 2,300
Population trend: Increasing
Legal protection: The wolf is a game species in parts of the region and is protected elsewhere
