Wolf
Canis lupus
Conservation status data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Canidae
Genus
Canis
Wolf belongs to the family Canidae, order Carnivora, within the Mammalia class.
Species Profile
Species profile data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
The wolf faces severe population declines due to extensive habitat fragmentation, human-wildlife conflict, and systematic persecution across much of its historical range. Livestock predation leads to retaliatory killings, while expanding human development continues to reduce and fragment suitable wilderness areas. Conservation status may vary by region or assessment authority, but multiple threats continue to impact wolf populations globally.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Wolves occupy diverse habitats including boreal and temperate forests, tundra, grasslands, and mountainous regions, typically requiring large territories with adequate prey populations and minimal human disturbance. They prefer wilderness areas and semi-wild landscapes that can support viable populations of ungulate prey species.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
The wolf faces severe population declines due to extensive habitat fragmentation, human-wildlife conflict, and systematic persecution across much of its historical range. Livestock predation leads to retaliatory killings, while expanding human development continues to reduce and fragment suitable wilderness areas. Conservation status may vary by region or assessment authority, but multiple threats continue to impact wolf populations globally.
Habitat loss and fragmentation
Human-wildlife conflict and retaliatory killing
Legal and illegal hunting/persecution
Disease transmission from domestic dogs
Prey depletion
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (CR).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Wolf (Canis lupus). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/wolf