First Results from GPS-Collared Wolves in Northern Czechia Bring Encouraging News
The first months of monitoring two GPS-collared wolves in the Broumov region of northern Czechia have provided encouraging insights into the animals' behaviour and movements. The data collected so far indicate that both wolves are behaving naturally, moving across a large area of the Czech-Polish border landscape while largely avoiding contact with people.
The monitoring began following a close encounter between a wolf and a person in the village of Hynčice in March 2026. In response, the Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic commissioned researchers from Mendel University in Brno to capture and monitor wolves in the area. With the support of the LIFE WILD WOLF project and the Interreg Czech-Poland programme, a male and a female wolf were successfully captured and fitted with GPS telemetry collars at the end of March.
Since then, researchers have gained valuable information about how wolves use the landscape. The monitored male has been moving across an area of approximately 220 km², mainly in the eastern part of the Maple Mountains and neighbouring mountain ranges in Poland. The female has occupied an area of approximately 120 km², largely overlapping with that of the male.
Interestingly, the two wolves spent several days travelling and resting together, suggesting that they may have formed a new pair.
Analysis of the GPS data revealed that both animals primarily use forest habitats. Around 77–78% of all recorded locations were within forests, while only 11–14% occurred in meadows and 11–12% on agricultural land. These findings are consistent with typical wolf behaviour and confirm that the animals are using the landscape in a natural way.
Researchers also observed that the male occasionally travelled close to villages during the night. However, such movements are not unusual. Wolves in many regions use the most efficient routes through the landscape when human activity is low, often passing through or near settlements without interacting with people.
"The first two wolves monitored using telemetry in the Broumov region have shown us how wolves use the Czech-Polish border landscape. They moved across a large area practically unnoticed and without coming into close contact with people, which is good news," explained Miroslav Kutal from the Department of Forest Ecology at the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology of Mendel University in Brno.
Importantly, no additional close encounters between wolves and people have been reported in the area since the animals were fitted with collars.
In the coming months, researchers will continue monitoring the wolves, with a particular focus on their feeding ecology and habitat use. The information collected will contribute to a better understanding of wolf behaviour and support evidence-based conservation and coexistence measures in the region.
The first results demonstrate that wolves can successfully share landscapes with people while maintaining their natural behaviour, highlighting the importance of science-based monitoring for effective wolf conservation.
