It is estimated that there are around 300 Iberian wolves in Portugal distributed across four areas: Gerês, Alvão, Bragança and southern Douro.
The Government will double the value of compensation paid for wolf attacks on livestock, retroactively from the beginning of the year. This is one of the measures included in the Pack Program aimed at conserving the Iberian Wolf.
To conserve the species, the Government has just approved a series of measures for the next 10 years as part of the Alcateia Program with a financial allocation of 15 million euros.
The idea is to protect wolves and at the same time create incentives that allow those who depend on livestock to accept their presence.
Last year, more than 550 wolf attacks on livestock were recorded across the country. Until now, compensation could reach 60 to 70 euros per animal, but shepherds complained that the market value is much higher.
With the measures now approved by the Government, the value of compensation doubles, approaching the market price and has retroactive effects to January of this year.
The Pack Program also plans to simplify and speed up procedures relating to the assessment of damage caused by wolves and make payments faster, which has not happened until now.
