Environment
AI
Estonia Faces Surge in Wolf Attacks on Dogs Despite Culling
A sharp increase in wolf attacks has left at least 15 dogs killed or injured across Estonia in January 2026, particularly in Pärnu County, prompting official warnings to pet owners even as a nationwide culling season is underway.
- —In January 2026, Estonia has seen a significant increase in wolf attacks on dogs, with at least 15 dogs killed or injured, compared to approximately 40 dogs for the entire previous year.
- —The majority of these incidents have been recorded in the Pärnu County and southern regions of Estonia.
- —The Estonian Environment Agency has issued 163 permits for wolf culling this hunting season, with 136 wolves already culled as of January 26, 2026.
- —Wolf hunting is permitted until the end of February 2026.
- —Animal owners are advised to keep dogs indoors at night, avoid leaving them chained outside, and keep them on a leash during walks in nature.
Recap
The ongoing wolf culling program in Estonia appears insufficient to curb a recent and aggressive shift in wolf behavior toward human settlements. The high number of attacks despite the cull suggests a deeper issue, possibly related to habitat pressure or food scarcity, that population reduction alone cannot solve. Official advisories place the burden of safety on pet owners, a reactive measure that highlights a gap in proactive wildlife management strategy.