Massive Protest in Spain Demands Immediate Protection for the Iberian Wolf

A large demonstration, attended by people from across Spain took place on Sunday, 22 June 2025, marching through the streets of Madrid to demand immediate protection for the Iberian Wolf.

Thousands of people condemned the serious legislative setback recently passed by the lower house of parliament, which once again turns this important species into a hunting target.

Under the motto “Alive and Protected — Wolf”, the demonstration, which began at 12:30 at Atocha, marched through the centre of Madrid in defence of this species so vital to the balance of our ecosystems: the wolf, a misunderstood animal, unjustifiably persecuted and exploited as a political tool for decades. People from across Spain joined the march and raised their voices against the killing of wolves.

On 20 March 2025, a parliamentary majority backed by the People’s Party revoked the wolf’s national protected status through a legislative manoeuvre that ignored scientific criteria and legally established procedures. This was condemned on Sunday as an unfounded political decision involving an amendment to environmental regulations under pressure from various sectors, thereby setting a serious precedent for nature conservation.

NGOs regret that, rather than supporting species protection and coexistence, the conflict is once again being manipulated through the killing of wolves — at a time when the species’ populations have neither recovered nor has genuine coexistence been achieved.

The organizing organizations cannot allow the wolf to be persecuted and hunted again as in the past, as this species is a key element of fragile ecosystems that require all necessary protection, and defending it as a heritage of society as a whole is our duty.

At the demonstration, the animal rights advocates demanded an immediate end to wolf hunts, which were halted by the courts in Galicia but were already carried out in autonomous communities such as Cantabria and Asturias despite legal appeals brought by civil society.

Together and with large banners, they demanded the reinstatement of the Iberian wolf on the List of Specially Protected Wild Species (LESPRE) and, furthermore, compliance with the European Union's Habitats Directive so that the wolf can continue to recover in areas where it has become extinct.

Among the demands expressed, particular emphasis was placed on the need to approve protection plans for the species based on scientific evidence, as well as enabling effective prosecution of poaching and poisoning. They also called for programs to raise awareness of the importance of this species and its irreplaceable ecological role in our ecosystems. They further demanded programs to prevent the spread of misinformation and false perceptions, and to instead provide society with serious, well-founded and truthful information about the species, its behavior and its significance. Finally, the protesters called on the authorities to value this species and commit to the survival and protection of wolves.

Call to Action: Demand a remission of federal and cantonal taxes from your municipality on account of the catastrophic policies of Federal Councillor Albert Rösti (SVP) following the recently approved shooting of wolves in Switzerland. You can download the template letter here: https://wildbeimwild.com/ein-appell-fuer-eine-veraenderung-in-der-schweiz/