“Controversy Surrounding the Downgrading of Wolf Protection in Europe: What You Need to Know”
The European wolf population is facing a significant threat as the Council of Europe has approved a proposal by the European Union to downgrade their status from “strictly protected” to “protected” starting next year. This decision has raised concerns among conservationists about the survival of the species, which had bounced back after being on the brink of local extinction.
The status change was proposed by the European Commission at the Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats last December, in preparation for amending the EU’s nature protection law. The downgraded status, which was welcomed by hunters, reduces the standards for shooting a wolf. The EU has cited that wolves kill 65,000 animals annually that were intended for human consumption.
Over the last two centuries, wolf populations in Europe were decimated, but they have since recovered due to habitat protections and regulations to reduce hunting. It is estimated that there are now 20,000 wolves roaming the continent, leading to increased conflicts with farmers who have called for culls in rural areas.
Animal rights activists have expressed concerns that the downgrading of wolves’ protected status puts the population at risk, especially in countries where wolves had disappeared completely, like France. The move has been criticized for potentially undoing decades of conservation progress in Europe.
Despite the concerns raised by conservationists and animal rights activists, the decision to lower protection for wolves in Europe was supported by the majority, with only five countries voting against the proposal. Environmental associations have referred to the decision as a “disgrace” and have vowed to challenge it in European courts.
The status change is set to go into effect on March 7, 2025, unless one-third of the commission’s members object. Assessments by the Large Carnivore Initiative for Europe suggest that one wolf population is vulnerable and five are “near-threatened.” Scientists have warned that while the overall wolf population in Europe may survive the change, it could be fatal for local populations hovering near the survival threshold.
Overall, the decision to downgrade the protected status of wolves in Europe has sparked a heated debate between conservationists, hunters, farmers, and policymakers. The future of the European wolf population hangs in the balance as stakeholders continue to weigh the potential consequences of this controversial move.