Wolf
Canis lupus

The wolf is a globally endangered species. Bulgaria is one of the few countries in Europe with existing healthy populations of wolves. The reason for one ecologically tolerant and adaptable species to be destroyed over large territories is its persecution by men. The negative attitude of humans to the wolf comes mostly from the damage it causes to cattle-breeding. Pirin is no exception in this matter. Wolf attacks on herds in the summer are frequent and in most cases successful due to the lack of secure measures to protect domestic animals (solid pens or shepherd dogs). This situation stimulates local people to apply illegal methods in the fight against wolves. The species lives seasonally in the Pirin NP – in the winter it descends from the higher parts, following the wild ungulates and the domestic animals, which makes it vulnerable because it can be shot freely during the hunting season.