What happens to the wolf after the fatal shot? - Germany Orders Lethal Removal of 'Problem Wolf' by March Deadline

A wolf in Baden-Württemberg has been marked for removal by the Ministry for the Environment. Known as 'GW2672m', the male animal must be killed by March 10. If the wrong wolf is shot, hunters will be permitted to continue their search.

The wolf, based in the Hornisgrinde area, was classified as a 'problem animal'—the first such designation in the region since wolves returned. However, this label does not ensure its capture, as seen in Lower Saxony with a wolf named 'Roddy', which evaded removal efforts.

A specialised 'removal team' has been deployed to track the animal. Their methods have drawn comparisons to old Wild West films, though their identities remain secret for safety reasons. Once killed, the wolf's body will not be incinerated or mounted for display. Instead, its remains will support research at the Forest Research Institute of Baden-Württemberg (FVA) and the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research.

Samples will also be sent to the Senckenberg Centre for Wildlife Genetics to confirm the animal's identity. A local taxidermist expressed disappointment, noting that other wolves in the region had been preserved for educational and storytelling purposes.

The ministry's deadline for the wolf's removal is March 10. After that date, officials will confirm whether the correct animal was killed. If not, the hunt will resume under the same conditions.