Sweden Starts Wolf Hunt to Halve Endangered Population

sweden - Sweden has initiated a wolf hunt to halve the population of the endangered predator amid difficulties in coexisting with the species. The hunt has sparked controversy and has been deemed illegal by the EU.

Sweden has begun a wolf hunt in an effort to reduce the population of the endangered predator by half as cohabitation with the species is said to be challenging. The hunt is controversial and considered illegal according to EU regulations.

A total of 5 packs, consisting of 30 wolves, are targeted for the cull. The hunt commences today and will run until February 15.

The wolf hunt goes against current European rules and is therefore deemed illegal. Legislation, which Sweden has been disregarding for years, states that a population of an endangered species must not fall below a 'sustainable level.' This means the species must be able to reproduce naturally without human intervention.

The Swedish wolf population has declined by nearly 20 percent in recent years, mainly due to an increase in hunting activities, as reported by The Guardian.

Wolves are listed on the Red List of endangered species and are protected accordingly. Recently, members of the Bern Convention voted to downgrade the protection status of wolves from 'strictly protected' to 'protected.' The European Commission is considering revising the protection status to accommodate the rising numbers of wolves, particularly in alpine and forested areas in Scandinavia and Central Europe.

Nature organizations have long criticized the dwindling wolf population. According to Wagnus Orrebant, the Swedish government is blatantly flouting the rules. 'If the EU decides to adjust the protection status of the wolf, it will have implications for all wildlife in Europe.'

This change carries significant implications, as it opens up the possibility of culling many more wolves. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen views the return of the wolf as positive for European biodiversity. 'However, the clustering of packs in certain regions has become a real threat to livestock.'

Orrebrant believes that the adjustment will not impact the Swedish population because 'since 2010, the government has shamelessly ignored the wolf's special protection status.' The Swede mentioned that his organization has filed a complaint with the European Union 'to no avail.'