In late September, a fresh imprint discovered in the mud between two tufts of grass in the Mercantour valley marked the first confirmed sign of a wolf in the area since the species was thought to have been eradicated from France centuries ago. This discovery was verified through genetic analysis of feces found nearby, confirming that the wolf had naturally returned from populations in the Italian Apennines. For a long time, scientists and French authorities believed that wolves had completely disappeared from the country, but this new evidence suggests otherwise. The return of wolves to the region is attributed to several environmental and social changes. Fewer shepherds are now present in the mountains, and there is more forest coverage, providing better habitat for wolves. Additionally, increased numbers of game animals—such as deer and wild boar—offer more food sources for predators. These factors have created conditions that allow wolves to reestablish themselves in the area. The reappearance of wolves in the Mercantour National Park in the early 1990s was not due to any organized reintroduction program but rather a natural migration from Italian wolf populations that gradually expanded northward over time. This natural return was made possible by the geographical proximity of southeastern France to the wolves' migration routes from Italy. However, the return of wolves has caused concern among local shepherds, who now face new challenges in protecting their flocks. They must implement increased nighttime surveillance and adjust their work schedules in alpine pastures to reduce the risk of wolf encounters. On the other hand, naturalists and some members of the public view the wolves' return as a positive development. They see it as a sign that the ecosystem is rediscovering a natural balance that once existed without human interference. The reappearance of wolves in France also highlights the possibility that species once thought to be eradicated can still survive in other regions and reemerge when environmental conditions become favorable again.