In the past, wolf population estimates ranged from 3.000 (Min. of Agriculture, 1980) to 300 (Univ. of Athens, 1998) individuals. The LYCOS Project which was implemented by Arcturos from 1998 to 2001 and used vatious field techniques as well as other available data, estimated the wolf population in the country at approx. 800 individuals or 91 wolf packs. Of those, 126-172 animals live in the region of Central Greece which was a site of special focus in the project.
In northern Greece wolf numbers seem to be stable during the last ten years, although in certain regions, such as Epirus and Halkidiki, a decline in numbers has been reported, possibly due to the illegal and indescriminate use of poisoned baits. In areas of the southern range of its distribution, wolf presence has changed from periodical to regular during the last 10-15 years. There is no evidence, however, that this positive trend corresponds with an overall increase of wolf densities. Short-term number fluctuations have been reported all over Greece, but these are mostly due to periodic cycles of extermination and recolonization processes. Overall wolf range expansion is not evident in areas where the species has been absent for a long period of time.

Note: This report has been based on the Final Report of the PROJECT LIFE NATURE 97 GR / 04249 : Conservation of the wolf ( Canis lupus L. ) and its habitats in Central Greece. The project was implemented by ARCTUROS (1998-2001).