Lars Monsen’s Exploration of Østmarka Sparks Debate Over Wolf Impact

Norwegian adventurer Lars Monsen’s new season of “Monsen and the National Parks,” which premiered on NRK on March 7, 2026, focuses on Østmarka, a national park near Oslo and a landscape deeply connected to Monsen’s personal history. The first episode, centered on the park’s winter landscape, quickly ignited a debate regarding the role of wolves in the ecosystem, drawing criticism from some quarters.

Discovering Wolf Tracks and the Ecosystem’s Balance

During the episode, Monsen and wolf enthusiast André Holm discovered fresh wolf tracks in the snow-covered terrain. This led to a discussion about the wolf’s place in nature, with Monsen stating, “It is so great to have predators around in the wilderness. They belong here.” Holm echoed this sentiment, suggesting that the wolf’s return to Østmarka has positively impacted the area’s biodiversity.

Holm claimed that the return of the wolf has correlated with an increase in several animal species, including deer, otter, and wild boar. He argued that the wolf plays a crucial role in regulating animal populations and fostering a more balanced ecosystem.

Criticism and Concerns from a Local Farmer

These claims, whereas, have been met with strong opposition, particularly from Halvor Sveen, a farmer in Østerdalen and former “Farmen” winner. Sveen criticized the episode as containing “nonsense and fabrication,” arguing that the presented information misrepresented the impact of wolves on the local environment. He expressed concern that wolf conservationists have gained undue influence, prioritizing emotions over factual evidence.

Sveen specifically disputed the claim that animal populations have increased *given that* of the wolf, stating that the beaver population has actually been negatively affected by the predator. He also argued that increases in deer and wild boar populations are unrelated to the presence of wolves, attributing them to other factors like milder winters and migration from Sweden.

NRK’s Response and Expert Perspectives

Håvard Jenssen, project manager for “Monsen and the National Parks” at NRK, acknowledged that the episode conveyed the personal experiences and perspectives of the individuals featured. He emphasized that the program is a “tour description, not a scientific documentary,” and that the wolf debate is complex and characterized by differing viewpoints.

Barbara Zimmermann, a professor of applied ecology at the University of the Interior, also weighed in on the debate. She agreed with Sveen that a direct causal link between the wolf’s presence and increases in certain animal populations is unlikely. Zimmermann suggested that factors like milder winters and logging practices have a more significant impact on ecosystem dynamics than the wolf.

However, Zimmermann also noted that wolves can have positive effects, such as providing carrion for scavengers and insects. She emphasized that the wolf’s impact is complex and should be considered within the context of a human-influenced landscape.

Wolf Population in Norway

According to data from Predator data, between 59 and 66 wolves were detected in Norway during the winter of 2024-2025. Approximately 40 to 47 of these wolves reside within Norway, while 19 roam across the border with Sweden. The wolf, the largest member of the dog family, primarily preys on moose, but will also consume deer, wild reindeer, and cattle. The wolf population in Norway is largely concentrated in a specific zone in south-east Norway, particularly in the eastern parts of Innlandet, Akershus and Østfold.

The wolf has been protected in Norway since 1971, and is currently classified as critically endangered on the Norwegian red list of species (2021).

Read more about the series here.