A new population assessment has registered three new wolf territories in Denmark, at Estvad, Dejbjerg and Renbæk, and residents near two of them are divided about their new neighbors.
The findings were published on September 24, 2026, and reported by DR. The assessment records at least 15 territories with resident wolves in Denmark. Pups have so far been registered in 11 of them.
According to DR, pups have been observed in both the Estvad and Dejbjerg territories. Researchers have counted at least 61 wolf pups in Denmark during 2026, and more may have avoided the wildlife cameras. TV 2 reports that the pair in the Renbæk territory has not produced pups.
The assessment was produced by Aarhus University and the Natural History Museum of Aarhus, as reported by Politiken. TV 2 adds that the preliminary estimate puts the Danish wolf population at 77 animals, against 49 in the previous monitoring year. All registered territories lie in Jutland, from Løgumkloster in the south to northern Jutland, according to Jyllands-Posten.
Divided views near the new territories
Charlotte Larsen, who lives in Dejbjerg, told DR that she finds the number of wolves high for a small country. She said Denmark does not have the forest area for so many animals. Larsen grew up next to Dejbjerg Plantage and said she will not let her children play in the forest as she once did.
Near Estvad, opinions differ. Poul Graugaard, who lives in the countryside there, said he does not think the wolf belongs in Denmark. Per DR, he described the space as too limited to have the animal in his back yard.
Marianne Mølle, who spends much of her time in a caravan at Flyndersø, said she is not afraid of the wolf. She described it as a shy animal that prefers to avoid people. Erling Jørgensen, who uses his caravan at the lake year round, said Danes should learn to live with wolves.
Jørgensen also noted that no one in Denmark has been attacked so far, while adding that animals will react if people come too close. The three residents spoke to DR in the areas covered by the new territories.
The spread of the packs follows a period of rising wolf numbers in Jutland. DR published its report alongside coverage of the wolf pups recorded in 2026 under the same assessment.
Figures in the assessment are described as preliminary by TV 2. The Estvad, Dejbjerg and Renbæk territories are the three additions identified this year.
