top cx logo
cx logo
Explorearrow down
search icon
Explore
arrow down

Video: Wild wolf spotted in Brittany for first time in 109 years

The predators returned to France in the early 1990s and have slowly been spreading out around the country

A wild wolf was spotted on camera wandering alone in the department of Finistère in Brittany. Photo for illustration Pic: MattLphotography / Shutterstock

A static camera has captured footage of a wild wolf wandering through a forest in Finistère in Brittany, the first time the animal has been sighted in the region since 1913. 

The last wolf known to be living in the area was shot and killed in the Côtes-d’Armor 109 years ago. 

The video was captured by a camera set up by regional wildlife association Bretagne vivante. 

It wrote in a Facebook post that it is normal behaviour for wolves to break off from their pack and wander alone to establish new territories in what is known as ‘dispersal’. This usually happens twice a year, in spring and autumn. 

Wolves in France were killed off by 1937, but gradually began returning in the early 1990s, entering the country from Italy. 

They first settled in the Mercantour national park in the southeast of the country, before starting to recolonise the Alps, the southern areas of the Massif Central, the eastern Pyrenees and even some areas in the northeast. 

Last year, a first wolf was spotted in the Ile-de-France region.

The reintroduction of wolves to France is widely celebrated by wildlife associations, but is controversial among farmers with livestock. 

Wolves are a protected species. 

Read more: Bloody wolf corpse left hanging in front of Mairie in southeast France

Wolf sightings can be reported to the departmental division of France’s Office of Biodiversity (L’Office français de la biodiversité).

Related stories

Wolf identified in southeast Vienne is first in a century

Resident or second-home owner in France?
Benefit from our daily digest of headlines and how-to's to help you make the most of life in France
By joining the newsletter, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy
See more popular articles
The Connexion Help Guides
featured helpguide
Income Tax in France 2023 (for 2022 income)*
Featured Help Guide
- Primarily aimed at Britons, covers pensions, rent, ISAs, shares, savings and interest - but also contains significant general information pertinent to readers of other nationalities - Overview of online declarations + step-by-step guide to the French printed forms - Includes updates given automatically after this year's site opened
Get news, views and information from France