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The wolf

Emblematic animal of the Gévaudan

Since the dawn of time, wolves have held an incredible fascination for mankind. Even today, it continues to arouse passions and provoke a rift between those in favor of its return and those who reject its arrival on the land. Some consider its presence incompatible with agropastoral activity, while others believe that the large predator has its place in France. In a region deeply rooted in agropastoralism, the predator’s place in Lozère is the subject of a debate that is crystallizing tensions.

Getting there

The wolf in Lozère

“Man’s greatest enemy”, the wolf has been associated with many legends for thousands of years. It was also the first animal to be domesticated by man, at least 33,000 years ago, gradually becoming the dog we know today. In the past, dogs were part of everyday life in Lozère, where they were the subject of many tales and frightening anecdotes. It appears, however, that the number of attacks on humans was extremely rare, and that they probably occurred during long, freezing winters, or when incessant warfare left unburied corpses in their wake, giving them a taste for human flesh.

Loups Du Gévaudan, the Loups du Gévaudan park is located near Marvejols in the Lozère region of France. — ©The Parc des Loups du Gévaudan features 5 wolf subspecies (Mongolian, Siberian, Polish, Canadian and Arctic).|Loups Du Gevaudan

Wolf rehabilitation

The wolf had almost entirely disappeared from Lozère by the 1930s, having been decimated by the population, which considered it a nuisance. Officially, the last wolf to be killed in Lozère was on June 20, 1977 in the commune of Les Salces by a Lozère farmer. Italian wolves then returned to France via the Alps and gradually spread across the country.

Wolves at the animal park — ©Les loups du Gévaudan" wildlife park in Margeride. Guided tours.

Characteristics of the wolf

Wolves are found on many continents. Like all other subspecies, the European gray wolf has a highly developed social life. They live in packs of 4 to 6 individuals on average, spread over a territory of 200 to 300km². The pack is highly hierarchical: it is led by a monogamous “dominant” couple, who remain together for the rest of their lives.

The Gévaudan Wolf Park

The Parc des Loups du Gévaudan, at Sainte-Lucie in the commune of Saint-Léger-de-Peyre, invites you to discover the emblematic animal of Gévaudan: the wolf. Through guided or self-guided tours, discover the 5 subspecies of wolf through an informative and entertaining trail from which you can observe them. There’s also a panoramic view of the surrounding area, a snack bar and souvenir store. This park is one of Lozère’s must-sees!