Wolves: now at our door | Garry Marvin

European Wolf is constantly turning to much of its former range in Western Europe. Photograph: Alamy

For centuries a war against the Lions fought across Europe and beyond, to liberate the land of what was characterized as a vicious killer of livestock - and a creature that emerged from the jungle to attack people. But wolves are now resurfacing in Western Europe.

They have returned to France and, according to pastors, have passed in Greece Albania. In Sweden have sought new territories to strengthen the small town of Norway. Animals in Eastern Europe have come to Germany. And packages of Spaniards and Italians are spreading. A Dutch businessman has bought land in Scotland and announced plans to reintroduce wolves to a country where not been seen for centuries. And migrate: one day could be striated wolves rather than the foxes through trays of Surrey or Kent.

These returns and the "right" to return are a contentious and emotional issue. For some it is an indication of a re-wilding of European landscapes should be celebrated. Others expressed anger that a "ruthless killer" is to be allowed to return to the places that have been except of its predation.

Any other wild animal threatened humans in the ways in which made lobos-ilustrado by the Wolfman monster, which feed on man, woman and child in the popular imagination. This lupophobia: not only a fear, but a deep hatred: back to the time when humans began to live with and dependent on flocks of sheep, goats and, later, cattle. Instead of hunting wild animals, something suitable for carnivores, wolves turned to animals that belonged to and were under the protection of human beings. Characterization of Jesus people evil as rapacious wolves threaten sheep would have been easy to understand in a pastoral society. The Wolf lived with this reputation of debauchery wrong for centuries.

Only since the 20th century environmentalists to challenge the idea that it is right and proper to kill and eliminate wolves. In the 1970s, the Wolf turned in appears as a species in danger of extinction in North America and some parts of Europe, protected from hunting and other forms of killing. In Europe this was pretty hegemonic - up numbers increased and began to migrate in search of new territories.

There is now a new war on wolves: between those who defend their owners return and cattle who believe their fragile livelihoods are at risk. This new war is significant in terms of the biopolitics of living with carnivores. That is what they want from wolves in Europe and why? That is what is trying to stop his revival? If it is important: the ambient or culturally important means: having this powerful Carnivore living freely in Europe, then it is essential to discuss what life with Wolves must or may be.

The scientific commentary on role wolves' in local ecology; Governments provide compensation for the loss of livestock; defenders of promoting the rights of wolves exist; Pastors feel frustrated who suffer the consequences of living with wolves that appear to be sought by the people of the cities is not likely to even see them. These parties rarely meet to discuss their points of view.

The solution is not taxation but dialogue. However firmly based science, conservation projects can never succeed without taking into account the human dimension. Wildlife has to coexist with humans. Put crudely, the scientists seem often frustrated that people don't understand what say it about the realities of wolves; pastors and other farmers feel resentful that foreigners do not want to listen to their traditional knowledge; and agricultural agencies seem to think that compensation for dead animals is payment enough for wolf predation.

And these problems cannot be reduced to Canis lupus: simple, physical Wolf. These are attitudes rooted on the Wolf in all their social, cultural, historical, political, economic and psychological entanglements with human beings.

A French expert has suggested a Parliament for wolves, which brings together all the parties concerned. Debate will only find a way through the wrath of those who seek to sacrifice wolves and passions of those who believe that they should allow to rediscover their place in the European biocultures.

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