Greece's large predators are making a strong comeback after decades of decline, but the recovery has brought new concern to rural areas now facing more encounters with bears, wolves, and wild boars.
The shift became clear in northwestern Greece, where a farmer found three of his sheep mauled to death. Large paw prints near the carcasses confirmed a bear attack. "It was a bear, a very big one, and they come often now," he said.
Another farmer nearby had recently lost chickens and pigs. To prevent further losses, Kasparidis moved his remaining flock close to his home.
Environmentalists say the return of predators is a conservation victory made possible by protected-species laws that banned hunting. But many residents of remote villages say daily life has become more stressful. Livestock losses are rising, and some villagers avoid walking outside after dark.
Brown bears have made one of the most significant recoveries. Their numbers have grown nearly fourfold since the 1990s, said Dimitrios Bakaloudis, a professor at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki who specialises in wildlife conservation.
A recent Arcturos survey estimates that up to 870 brown bears now live in northern Greece. Arcturos, founded in 1992, also operates sanctuaries for rescued bears and wolves.
Wolves have followed a similar trend. Once limited to central Greece, they now roam the outskirts of Athens and the Peloponnese. Their recovery has been supported by the booming population of wild boars. Reduced hunting, warmer winters, and cross-breeding with domestic pigs have led to rapid boar reproduction. This expanding food source has helped wolves move into new regions.
Wild boars are increasingly appearing in town centers and residential areas. They dig up farmland, destroy crops, and wander through backyards. Their presence has become one of the most visible signs of Greece's wildlife comeback.
The rise in predator numbers has led to a small but concerning increase in incidents. A child was bitten by a wolf. An elderly man was injured by a bear in his yard. Two hikers were attacked in separate incidents, one fatally, after falling into a ravine during a bear encounter.
In the villages of Levea and Valtonera, residents say wildlife sightings have surged. Local leaders report seeing bears, wolves, foxes, and wild boars moving through fields and even into village centers. "It's now difficult for a person to walk around outside at night," said Valtonera community president Konstantinos Nikolaidis.
The wild boar surge has led local officials to call for expanded hunting. In Amyntaio, deputy mayor Giorgos Panagiotidis asked authorities to allow out-of-season hunting to control their numbers. The discussion reflects broader tensions across Europe.
In May, the European Union voted to reduce protections for wolves, a move strongly supported by farmers and backed by European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen after a wolf killed her pony three years ago.
Scientists say increased encounters cannot be explained by population growth alone. Wildfires have destroyed habitat, drought has reduced natural food sources, and noise from wind turbines and recreational vehicles has disturbed animal movement. Depopulated villages have created quiet spaces that attract wildlife.
"There is of course fragmentation of the bears' habitat," said Arcturos spokesperson Panos Stefanou. "Frequently, there is drought, there's a lack of food in the natural environment, there's a desertification of villages, which makes inhabited areas more attractive to bears."
Researchers recommend practical steps such as installing lights, securing trash, and disposing of dead livestock. In rare cases, authorities remove specific animals, as they did after the wolf attack on a child. But Stefanou warned against simplistic approaches. "Killing the animals is not what will solve the problem," he said.
Greece now faces the challenge of protecting rural communities while maintaining one of its most notable conservation recoveries in decades.