After being almost completely wiped out in the 19th century, an estimated 1,600 gray wolves now live in Germany again —  and their numbers are rising.

But for farmers, these predators are becoming a problem. Time and again, wolves attack and kill sheep or goats.

The EU therefore downgraded their protection status in 2025, and in Germany, the hunting law has been amended to include the carnivores. This is intended to make it easier to shoot the animals, with the goal of controlling the population.

Critics, however, consider this exaggerated and ineffective. DW reporter Aditi Rajagopal met supporters and opponents of wolf hunting in Lower Saxony and uncovered a heated debate.