The largest wolf pack in Europe is at home in Baden-Württemberg – and can even be experienced up close. © Wirestock/Imago
Bad Mergentheim – Although there is currently no wild wolf pack in Baden-Württemberg, a zoo in the Main-Tauber district is home to the largest wolf pack in Europe, according to the operators.
It was remarkable news in Baden-Württemberg: In spring 2023, wolf pups were born in the wild in the Black Forest for the first time in 150 years. When a puppy got caught in a camera trap in July, it was confirmed: the first wild wolf pack in a long time had established itself in the southwest. But with the death of the last female wolf in Baden-Württemberg in a car accident in April, the hope of a resettlement of wolves in the region also disappeared.
A pack of record size: 30 wolves in the zoo in Baden-Württemberg
How many animals are in a wolf pack?
A wolf pack usually consists of the parents, the pups and the previous year’s offspring (yearlings). Sometimes older descendants or grandparents are also included. Under certain conditions, two females, such as mother and daughter, can have puppies or two male dogs can be the fathers.
In the past, there have always been offspring for the wolf pack in the Bad Mergentheim Wildlife Park. (Archive image) © Harald Grunwald/picture alliance/dpa/Wildpark Bad Mergentheim
The pack size is usually between five and ten animals, but varies throughout the year. With the birth of puppies in spring, the group grows, while migration of yearlings and deaths reduce it again.
How much does the day ticket cost in Wildpark Bad Mergentheim?
Overnight stays directly on the wolf grounds are also possible. The “Wolf Wagon” offers overnight accommodation in a cute wooden hut with a panoramic view of the wolves from mid-March to the end of October. However, the Wolfswagen is already fully booked for 2025. Depending on the number of people, one night costs between 320 and 385.45 euros. If you still want to experience the bloodcurdling howl of wolves, you can make an inquiry about the Wolf’s Night program. (yk)