Yes, there are definitely wolves in the Dolomites, and their population has been steadily increasing over the last decade. After being nearly extinct in Italy in the mid-20th century, the Italian Wolf (Canis lupus italicus) naturally recolonized the Alps and the Dolomites, arriving from the Apennine Mountains. As of 2026, multiple stable packs are established in regions like the Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park, the Agordino area, and near Cortina d'Ampezzo. These wolves are highly elusive and generally avoid humans, preferring to hunt roe deer, red deer, and wild boar in the dense mountain forests. While they are a success story for biodiversity and conservation, their return has caused significant tension with local farmers due to livestock depredation, leading to the implementation of new protective measures like electric fencing and specialized guard dogs. For hikers, the chance of actually seeing a wolf is extremely low, but it is not uncommon to find their tracks or hear their howls in the more remote parts of the Trentino and South Tyrol regions.