A plan to protect wolves in France could see their population swell to 500 in the next five years, reports The Independent.
The proposal - which would increase the number of wolves by around 40 percent - is designed to ensure the survival of the species in France.
The country's farmers are likely to oppose the plans, having already complained about the financial losses caused by wolf attacks on livestock.
Environment minister Nicolas Hulot’s proposal includes financial aid to help farmers protect their livestock using electric fences and herding dogs.
The plan also allows around 10 percent of the wolf population to be culled every year to prevent attacks on herds of sheep.
Wolves once existed throughout much of Europe but came close to extinction in some parts due to aggressive hunting practices in the 19th century.
In recent decades, the species has gradually returned to several countries - including France, Italy, Slovenia and Denmark – with sightings of individual animals recorded in several others.
Last month, a wild wolf was spotted in Belgium, the first confirmed sighting in the country for more than a century.
The UK's Wildwood Trust is one of several organisations across Europe calling for the species to be actively reintroduced.