The Current State of Wolves in Europe

In May 2022, the Swedish Government declared its intention to cull a significant portion of the nation’s wolf population, aiming to eliminate half of the existing wolves, which contradicts European law. This controversial decision has fueled the farming sector's efforts to weaken wolf protection laws within the European Union (EU).

Historically, wolves had vanished from Scandinavia for nearly a century until three individuals from the Russo-Finnish population migrated back in the 1980s, leading to the establishment of a local population. Currently, estimates from the Swedish Environmental Agency indicate there are approximately 540 wolves in the region, comprising 460 in Sweden and 80 in Norway.

Despite the wolves' recovery, rural communities in both countries have not welcomed their return. Farmers express concerns about livestock attacks, while hunters claim that wolves interfere with their hunting activities. Additionally, both groups report losses of shepherd and hunting dogs. Farmers argue that the compensation for their losses and the subsidies for protective measures like electric fences are insufficient.

Consequently, both Sweden and Norway have lifted their bans on wolf hunting, issuing licenses for the culling of a limited number of wolves each year, typically during the winter months. Alarmingly, Sweden's announcement in May last year to reduce its wolf population by half has raised serious concerns among conservationists.

The first video, "The protection status of wolves in Europe is at risk: learn why," delves into the implications of Sweden's wolf culling policies and their potential impact on conservation efforts.

Opposition from conservation organizations is robust, arguing that these hunts are largely motivated by a strong hunting lobby. Data from the European Parliament indicates that large carnivores, including wolves, account for an annual loss of only 0.05% of the total sheep population across mainland Europe. In Sweden, wolves are responsible for an average of 374 sheep deaths annually, while in Norway, the figure is higher at 2,211, despite having fewer wolves. This discrepancy arises because sheep in Norway often roam freely without protection, in contrast to the fenced herds in Sweden, highlighting the effectiveness of preventive strategies.

Furthermore, an international group of eighteen scientists recently published a letter in Science, emphasizing that the Scandinavian wolf population faces significant inbreeding issues and possesses a limited gene pool. They warn that reducing the wolf population could jeopardize its viability, asserting that a genetically healthy population in Sweden should ideally consist of over 500 individuals.

The Legal Battle Over Wolf Hunting

In Norway, the legality of wolf hunting licenses has faced scrutiny. In 2017, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) filed a lawsuit against the Norwegian Government for illegal management practices that violated the National Nature Diversity Act, the International Bern Convention, and the National Constitution. The court ruled in favor of the Government.

In 2021, the animal rights group Noah initiated another lawsuit against the Government for allowing the killing of two wolf families within a designated Wolf Zone, which is meant to be a protected area. This time, the court found the Government's actions to be in violation of the National Nature Diversity Act, issuing a temporary injunction against hunting in the Wolf Zone until the appeal was resolved. However, this decision was overturned by the Norwegian Court of Appeal in February 2022, leading to the culling of nine wolves in that protected area.

Similarly, Sweden's wolf hunting practices have come under fire. In 2015, the European Commission issued its second formal warning to Sweden regarding its wolf management practices, claiming that they violate the EU Habitats Directive. The Commission outlined three main issues: the lack of consideration for satisfactory alternatives, inadequate supervision of licensed hunts, and failure to demonstrate that hunting would not threaten the local wolf population. Despite these warnings, the Commission has yet to refer Sweden to the Court of Justice of the EU.

Given the current political climate, especially with Sweden lacking a dedicated Environment Ministry for the first time in thirty-five years, significant changes to these hunting practices appear unlikely.

The Push for Weaker Protections

The stance taken by Nordic countries has further empowered the farming lobby, which exerts considerable influence within the European Parliament, to advocate for reduced protections for wolves in the EU. On November 24, the Parliament passed a joint resolution urging the European Commission to assess population data to update the conservation status of large carnivores once the desired thresholds are met. It also addresses the challenges these animals pose to farmers and encourages the identification of additional funding for preventive measures.

Although the resolution raises valid points, particularly regarding funding, its emphasis on the dangers posed by large carnivores and intent to alter their conservation status indicates a push to diminish their legal protections. This concern was echoed in a public letter co-signed by seven environmental organizations in Europe.

Adding to the pressure, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called for a reevaluation of the stringent protections for wolves in Europe, following an incident in September 2022 when a wolf killed her pony in Germany. The German Government has already sanctioned the culling of that particular wolf, which had repeatedly targeted livestock.

It is increasingly apparent that there is a concerted effort to weaken wolf protections across the EU, a movement that is gaining traction and jeopardizing the future of wolves in Europe. Similar trends are observed in the United States, where Yellowstone National Park experienced its most devastating wolf hunt in a century after the election of an anti-wolf Republican Governor in 2021.

The Swedish wolf hunting season for 2023 commenced in January and will continue until February 15. In light of public outcry, authorities have significantly reduced the number of wolves permitted to be culled to a total of 75 (16%). Reports indicate that, as of February 6, 54 wolves have already been killed.

The second video, "The protection of wolves in the EU: Where are we?" provides insights into the current status of wolf protection efforts in Europe and the challenges faced by conservationists.

For further insights into the influence of the farming lobby in the European Parliament, you can explore the article below…