Wolf presence confirmed in Normandy: What to do if you see one
The confirmation comes after sheep attacks in Manche, Orne, Seine-Maritime, and Calvados
The OFB said there is “no longer any room for doubt” that the animal spotted this year is a grey wolf
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Authorities in Normandy have confirmed the presence of a wolf in the area after farmers reported attacks on several flocks of sheep over the past two months.
The departmental prefecture confirmed the ‘probable presence’ of a wolf in the Mont Saint-Michel area on Monday, February 3.
Similarly, the Office français de la biodiversité (OFB), which is responsible for monitoring wolves in France, has said there is “no longer any room for doubt” that the animal spotted this year is a grey wolf.
Sheep attacks
Several flocks of sheep have been attacked since the start of 2025.
The Manche prefecture issued a statement on the attacks, saying: “In all, 23 animals were affected. 16 ewes and lambs were injured, and seven lambs were killed (three by bites and four by hypothermia)”.
The Orne and Manche prefectures have also confirmed that “a large canid with morphological characteristics of the grey wolf species” has been photographed in three separate locations in south-west Normandy.
One photograph was taken near Domfront en Poiraie on December 31, 2024
Another was taken near Marcilly on the night of January 20-21 , 2025
A third was taken near Loges Marchis on the morning of January 24.
The Seine-Maritime prefecture also confirmed that the body of a large grey wolf has been found near Le Havre, near the A131 road. An autopsy is set to be done “in the coming days”, the prefecture said.
Sheep were also attacked in this area some 10 days before the body was found, the Seine-Maritime prefecture said, with one ewe killed in Daubeuf-Serville, near Fécamp.
This is not the first time that a grey wolf has been sighted in Seine-Maritime; one was also confirmed in mid-July 2020 by OFB, after DNA analysis. In 2022, wolves attacked a farm at La Caule-Sainte-Beuve, and in February 2024, the body of a wolf was also found in Manéglise.
Sheep attacks were also reported near Bayeux (Calvados) in late December 2024, the OFB said.
Departmental unit
The OFB also said that this is the “first observation of a wolf in the [Manche] department since its natural return to France in the early 1990s”.
The Manche prefecture has now confirmed that a “departmental wolf monitoring unit will meet in early March to take stock of these attacks and the required compensation”.
Read also: MAP: Wolves have returned to most French departments
What should I do if I see a wolf?
In the event of a wolf sighting or evidence of its presence, the OFB advised people to not approach it or make noise. Dogs should be kept on leads and also not be allowed to approach.
People are advised to contact the departmental office for the Manche department as soon as possible after the sighting at the following e-mail address: sd50@ofb.gouv.fr.
The Manche prefecture statement also reminded farmers that it is possible to obtain protection against wolves in affected areas. This can include help such as “the 80% funding for the purchase of protection dogs or 100% funding for technical support for these dogs”.
Read also: Shepherd in south of France fined after his guard dogs bite hikers
Read more: Wolves in France: ‘Better to scare, not kill’
Protection dogs are typically known as ‘patou’ dogs (Pyrenean mountain dogs), but other dogs can also be used to keep wolves away from sheep.
