Populations of big carnivores are on the increase in Finland. According to the latest estimates the increase of the wolf and lynx populations is particularly strong.
At the end of 2004 there were about 810 – 850 bears, 185 – 200 wolves, 135 – 140 wolverines and 1050 – 1100 lynx in Finland. The number of wolves and lynx still continues growing and it is clearly bigger than in 2003. The previously increasing bear population stabilized at the of the 1990’ies. The wolverine population has grown somewhat. There are considerable regional differences in big carnivore populations. These numbers represent winter populations, i.e. before the birth season in spring.

Like in the case of flying squirrels, EU regulations stipulate that bears, wolves, wolverines and lynx are species requiring special protection and that they must not be killed without special permit.
Finnish carnivore populations are connected to those in Russia, where the number of wolves and bears is many times bigger than Finnish populations. No special wolf or bear populations have been established for Finland. The animals stray freely back and forth over the border. On the contrary, national populations have been established in Norway and Sweden.
The increasing number of lynx is mainly due to abundant food. Hares are the main food for lynx and the hare population has increased strongly in recent years. Populations of roe deer, another main prey animal for lynx, have increased very strongly.
As the number of wolves has increased, so has the loss and damage caused to people. For example, the amount of compensation paid for loss of domestic animals has more than doubled sine 2003.
For further information, please contact Mr Asko Niemi, Central Union of Agricultural Producers and Forest Owners (MTK), e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.