Measuring public support for wolves

The wolf has re-established itself in Flanders since 2018. In recent years, it has become clear that coexisting with the wolf is not a self-evident matter. Damage, traffic accidents, etc. are testing society's tolerance for wolves in Flanders. It is becoming increasingly clear that there is a need for sound scientific evidence in order to resolve conflicts with animal species such as wolves. Conflicts between groups within society about wolves must also be addressed. Scientifically based management measures can help in this regard.
There are different views on the desirability and the way in which coexistence between humans and wolves within the same landscape should be pursued. At present, the focus is often still on technical solutions to conflicts between humans and wolves (e.g. taking preventive measures). This overlooks the complex and underlying processes that cause conflicts between the various interest groups regarding wolves.
To date, initiatives to gauge public support have been limited to a few bachelor's theses, which did not yield representative results. Therefore, the intention is to start researching public support for wolves among the general public and stakeholder groups from 2026 onwards. To this end, we will periodically survey the most prominent target groups. Analyses of the results will thus provide a better picture of public support, possible areas for improvement and the evolution of public support.