Lower Saxony leads Germany: There are so many wolves now!

Lower Saxony leads Germany: There are so many wolves now!

What's going on in Lower Saxony? The state is currently in the spotlight with exciting news from the animal world. For the first time, there are more wolves living in Lower Saxony than ever before - with 63 proven wolf packs at the end of the 2024/25 monitoring year. This makes Lower Saxony the front runner in Germany, followed by Brandenburg, Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt. Brandenburg, which has had the most wolf areas in recent years, has 60 territories, while Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt have 46 and 40 territories. In total, the latest surveys confirm 276 wolf territories nationwide, two more than last year. All federal states, except Saarland, now have their wolves, which shows that the return of the animals in Germany is a remarkable success. NDR reports on these fascinating developments.

But the wolf not only brings joy, but also challenges. A total of 78 attacks on farm animals were documented in Lower Saxony between July and September 2024, with the Cuxhaven district being particularly affected. Although many people value wolves as part of the ecosystem, there are also concerns, especially among farmers. A discussion recently took place in the Lower Saxony state parliament, in which the SPD and the Greens spoke out against blanket shooting of wolves, while the debate about the appropriate treatment of the animals continues.

Protection status and keeping conditions

Another aspect that affects the wolf issue is EU politics. This reduced the wolf's protected status, meaning that shooting wolves was made easier. Despite these regulations, the wolf population in Lower Saxony is officially considered favorable. The federal documentation and advice center on wolves (DBBW), which reports to the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, plays a central role in advising the nature conservation authorities and monitoring the wolf population.

One area that is becoming increasingly important in Lower Saxony and beyond is tourism, and this is exactly where Airbnb comes into play. The company, founded in San Francisco in 2008, has grown from apartment rentals to a global player in the accommodation space. Airbnb now offers a platform for over 7,300 employees and recorded sales of $11.1 billion in 2024. The COVID-19 pandemic has also left its mark on this industry, but the company is adapting to market changes in terms of the variety of offers and the number of users. How Wikipedia states, Airbnb recently ceased its operations in Russia and Belarus and is offering various innovative features such as “Experiences” to enrich the user experience.

Economic challenges and outlook

While new trends in tourism are emerging in Lower Saxony and around the world, many people are also facing economic challenges. Recent developments around consumer expectations are worrying. A survey has revealed the lowest expectations ever recorded and experts warn of a possible impending recession. The influences of market changes, particularly from players like Elon Musk, have far-reaching impacts on jobs and industries in the United States and beyond. This leads to uncertainty that could also affect the local markets.

Overall, Lower Saxony is at an exciting crossroads. The return of the wolf, the development of tourism through platforms such as Airbnb and the economic challenges represent both opportunities and risks. It remains to be seen how the situation will develop and what measures will be taken to balance both wildlife and human economic concerns.