The recent extinction of the “strictly protected” southernmost European grey wolf population: Lessons and recommendations. Gil-Sánchez JM, Rodríguez-Siles J, Díaz-Portero MÁ, Rico M, Llaneza L. Biological Conservation. 2026 Jan
ABSTRACT
We describe the extinction process of the isolated southernmost European grey wolf population, examining the scientific, management and legal scenarios that led to this failure. This case study discusses a legally protected, iconic species within a well-developed country, subject to several EU conservation obligations and recommendations of the IUCN’s Large Carnivore Initiative for Europe. We conducted a comprehensive review of key published and unpublished sources to reconstruct the extinction process in detail. The grey wolf population in Sierra Morena, Spain, declined sharply from the 19th to the mid-20th century due primarily to intense persecution by the livestock sector, in response to conflicts with the wolf. The decline continued thereafter, increasingly driven by hunting and drastic land-use changes. Estimates from the 1970s (despite methodological limitations) revealed a remarkably low population density. The population ultimately disappeared in 2017, despite being officially protected since 1985. The extinction of this wolf population can be attributed to: (i) flawed data and lack of adherence to scientific standards, which led to misinterpretations of the population’s conservation status, (ii) limited capacity among administrators and practitioners to assess the quality and rigour of scientific advice, leading to ineffective management, (iii) a lack of critical conservation debate within the relevant institutions, and (iv) ineffective protection laws, which failed to practically guarantee the conservation of the species. For complex pre-extinction scenarios involving multiple engagement options at different levels, such as this case study, we recommend that independent scientific organisations be formally included in decision-making processes. This would improve conservation actions and promote the publication of data in peer-reviewed journals.