Scientific Publication: Wolf Population Estimates in Parnitha National Park, Greece

May 7

A new scientific study estimating the wolf population in the protected area of Parnitha National Park has been completed as part of the LIFE Wild Wolf project.

The population assessment was based on genetic analyses using non-invasive DNA sampling conducted during 2022–2023. The work was carried out under Task 6.1 “Monitoring and evaluation plan” of the LIFE Wild Wolf project, implemented in Greece by CALLISTO and NECCA.

Collaboration and Methodology

The monitoring effort was carried out through a strong collaboration involving:

CALLISTO (Environmental Organisation)
The Management Unit of Parnitha and Schinias National Parks and Protected Areas of the Saronikos Gulf (NECCA)
The Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki which undertook the laboratory genetic analysis and evaluated the results, as part of a Master’s thesis by biologist Emilia Ioakeimidou, under the supervision of Assistant Professor N. Karaiskou .
The Centre for Wildlife Genetics, Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt
Additional research institutions

Additional contributions included:

Tissue samples from stray dogs provided by the Intermunicipal Center for Stray animals , supporting genetic comparison analyses
Support from the Greek Wildlife Alliance, coordinated by WWF Greece

Key Findings

According to the results:

The minimum recorded number of wolves in the study area for 2023 was 31 individuals
Using the most robust statistical model (genotype capture–recapture), the estimated total population was estimated to 57 individuals distributed across three social groups (packs)

Importantly, specialized genetic analyses showed that no wolf–dog hybridisation has been detected in the Parnitha National Park area, although such cases have been recorded in parts of Northern Greece.

Ongoing Research

Further research is currently underway, including: