Wolves reach phase 6 as Spain sees first human attack

The first wolf attack on a human in Spain trinc PSOE protection laws

A 73-year-old farmer was admitted to hospital in serious condition after being attacked by a wolf on his own farm. This was not an isolated incident: over the previous three years, incidents have multiplied in a pogre many describe as "habituation phases." In September 2021, the Iberian wolf came under protection via the Listado de Especies Silvestres en Régimen de Protección Especial (Lespre, a list of wild species under special protection), a measure promoted by the PSOE (the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party) that banned sport hunting throughout Spanish territory. Since then, cases of wolves prowling near homes, attacking dogs, and chasing riders have steadily increased.

The seven-phase theory

An analysis based on testimonies from livestock farmers and locals in the Cantabrian region describes a sequence of seven phases that culminates in direct attacks on humans. The first sign was an increase in wild fauna fleeing from wolves in the valleys. Next, wolves began approaching homes at night, observing humans. In the third phase, they began appearing during the day, learning how to open gates. The fourth stage brought attacks on dogs and domestic animals even in terraces and yards, with testimonies describing "elderly mothers and grandmothers who do not dare to go out at night." In the fifth phase, riders are surrounded and chased. The sixth, considered a key stage, shows tame wolves that allow themselves to be shooed away but do not go far: they are testing humans as prey. The final stage is the total loss of shyness, where even an armed man could not face a pack.

The trigger: Von der Leyen's pony and the European response

The turning point in public opinion came when a wolf killed the pony belonging to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Germany. The incident, which occurred in 2021, prompted the EU to initiate a review of the wolf's protection status, warning of a "real danger." In Spain, the death of the pony was viewed with irony by the rural community: "It's fine if thousands of others' livestock die, but once her beloved pony is hit, suddenly it's a real danger," was a common sentiment. The paradox is that while the Commission was hardening its stance, the Spanish Government maintained full protection.

The numbers that do not add up

The official wolf census in Spain has always been controversial. In Cantabria—the only region where critics claim the census was not monitored by environmental organizations—the count showed double the number of packs compared to the previous one. Extrapolating that figure to the rest of the country, the actual wolf population could be much higher than declared. Meanwhile, attacks on livestock have soared: during a single transhumance, one shepherd lost 1,700 sheep, 30 goats, and twelve dogs. Prevention measures such as Mastiff dogs and electric fences are proving insufficient when wolves act in packs and have lost their antiestéticar.

The first confirmed attack on a person in Spain trinc the law fell upon a 73-year-old farmer, who miraculously survived. Months later, a five-year-old boy, Manuel Suárez, also survived an attack in Galicia. The question that remains is: how many people will have to suffer before a policy is rectified that, according to its critics, prioritizes predator protection over human safety and the viability of extensive livestock farming?