Wolves Facing Increased Threats in Europe: A Crisis Unfolds
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In May 2022, the Swedish Government revealed its plan to reduce the nation’s wolf population by half through an annual culling, an action that defies European Law. This move has empowered agricultural groups to advocate for less stringent protections for wolves within the European Union (EU).
Wolves had been extinct in Scandinavia for nearly a century until a small group from the Russo-Finish population migrated to the area in the 1980s, re-establishing a local population. Currently, the Swedish Environmental Agency estimates there are around 540 wolves in the region, with 460 in Sweden and 80 in Norway.
Despite this recovery, many rural communities in both countries are not welcoming the return of wolves. Farmers report livestock losses due to wolf attacks, while hunters claim that their game is being depleted. Both groups also express concern over the loss of their working dogs. The compensation offered by the Swedish Government for these losses, as well as subsidies for protective measures like electric fences, is deemed insufficient by many farmers.
Consequently, both governments have lifted previous bans on wolf hunting, issuing licenses for the culling of a limited number of wolves annually, typically from January to February. In May of the previous year, Sweden announced its intention to cull half of its wolf population, sparking alarm among conservationists.
Conservation organizations widely oppose these hunts, arguing they are motivated by a strong hunting lobby. They reference data from the European Parliament, indicating that large carnivores, including wolves, account for only 0.05% of total sheep losses in mainland Europe annually.
In Sweden, wolves are responsible for an average of 374 sheep deaths each year, while in Norway, the number is 2,211. This disparity is attributed to Norway's unprotected grazing practices, while Swedish sheep are typically kept behind electric fences, highlighting the effectiveness of preventative strategies.
Recently, an international group of eighteen scientists published a letter in Science, warning that the Scandinavian wolf population suffers from significant inbreeding and a restricted gene pool, which could jeopardize its survival. They argue that a genetically viable population in Sweden should ideally consist of over 500 individuals.
The Situation in Norway
The legality of wolf hunting licenses in Norway has been questioned. In 2017, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) filed a lawsuit against the Norwegian Government for illegal wolf management practices that violated the National Nature Diversity Act, the International Bern Convention, and the National Constitution. However, the court ruled in favor of the Government.
In 2021, another lawsuit was filed by the animal rights organization Noah, challenging the Government's decision to allow the killing of two wolf families within a designated Wolf Zone, which covers 5% of Norway's territory and was intended to protect the species.
This time, the court found that the Government's actions were indeed in violation of the National Nature Diversity Act and issued an interim injunction in January 2022, halting any hunting within the Wolf Zone until the appeal was resolved. However, this decision was overturned by the Norwegian Court of Appeal on February 11, leading to the culling of nine wolves in the protected area that same weekend.
The Case of Sweden
Sweden's wolf hunting licenses have faced scrutiny as well. In 2015, the European Commission issued its second formal warning to Sweden regarding its wolf management, stating that “Sweden has established a systemic practice which infringes the (EU) Habitats Directive.”
The Commission outlined three reasons for Sweden's noncompliance: 1) failure to explore satisfactory alternatives, 2) lack of strict supervision for licensed hunts, and 3) inability to demonstrate that hunting would not threaten the growth of the local wolf population. Despite these concerns, the Commission has yet to take legal action against the country.
Currently, it seems unlikely that these hunting practices will change soon, particularly given that Sweden no longer has a dedicated Environment Ministry for the first time in thirty-five years, following the election of a new right-wing government in 2022.
The Nordic countries' stance has emboldened agricultural interests, which hold substantial influence in the European Parliament, to advocate for reduced protections for wolves in the EU.
On November 24th of last year, the Parliament passed a joint resolution urging the European Commission to evaluate population data to update the conservation status of large carnivores as soon as their numbers reach desired levels. The resolution also highlights the impact of these animals on farmers and calls for increased funding for preventative measures.
While the resolution's proposals appear reasonable, particularly regarding funding, its emphasis on the perceived threats posed by large carnivores and its intent to influence their conservation status suggest a fundamental aim to weaken their legal protections. This prompted a public letter of opposition signed by seven environmental organizations.
Pressure is also mounting from the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, who, after a wolf killed her pony in Germany in September 2022, has directed Commission officials to reassess the strict regulations protecting wolves in Europe, according to Politico. Notably, the German Government has already issued an order for the culling of that specific wolf due to its repeated livestock attacks, which is allowed under current laws.
It is increasingly clear that there is a campaign to diminish wolf protections across the European Union, gaining traction and posing a significant threat to the continent's wolves. Similar movements are occurring in the United States, where Yellowstone National Park recently experienced its deadliest wolf hunt in a century following the election of an anti-wolf Republican Governor in Montana in 2021.
In Sweden, the 2023 wolf hunting season commenced in January and will extend until February 15th. After facing public backlash, authorities have reduced the number of wolves that can be culled to 75 (16%). As of February 6th, 54 wolves have already been killed.
For further insights into the influence of the farming lobby in the European Parliament, refer to the article below.
