Closely observed wolves in Šumava

The Czech Republic’s biggest national park Šumava has recently opened a wolf observation site at its new visitor centre in the town of Srní. The park’s management wants to get the public more used to the former inhabitants of the local forests, hoping that the public exposure to the wolves will help erode some of the ingrained prejudices against them.

Photo: CTK

The howling of wolves was once a common sound to be heard in the deep forests of the Šumava mountains. During the 19th century, however, the populations plummeted and by the end of the 20th century, there was not a single wolf living on the territory of the Czech Republic.

Now, visitors to the Šumava National Park have a chance to hear the typical wolf howl again. A new centre dedicated to the once common predators opened this Friday, offering people a unique chance to observe wolves in their natural habitat. Josef Štemberk works as a guide in the national park:

“Wolves used to be very important predators in Šumava and we try to introduce them as former inhabitants of the mountains as well as animals which can live side by side with people.

Photo: CTK

“You can visit the centre, where you can get all the information about the wolves and other predators of the Bohemian Forest, and then you can follow the wolf track which leads you to the observation deck above the wolf enclosure and you can enjoy the wolves from pretty close.”

The wolf pair, Pandora and Greg, were introduced to the enclosure in February this year, and four cubs were born three months later. The pack of wolves are enclosed on a 35 hectare site comprising forest and rocks, but according to Mr Štemberk, visitors still have a good chance of spotting the animals, since they have already got used to people’s presence.

Wolves are said to have inhabited the Šumava mountains roughly until the mid-18th century and the park management is now hoping that one day, the predators will make their comeback. Josef Štemberk again:

“As we know, there are currently no wolves settled in the Šumava mountains but we have some tracks and other signs that one or two wolves occasionally cross the mountains, but they probably don’t find enough space or silence to settle down.

Photo: CTK

But conditions are improving and we have already seen wolves returning to some parts of Poland and Germany, so they may come back to Šumava as well.”

The wolf visitor centre in Srní will be open throughout the whole year, with the exception of April.