Wolf misused? EU plans trigger storm of protest

The EU proposal to downgrade the wolf from strictly protected (Annex II) to regulated huntable (Annex III) has triggered protests across Europe.

Tierschutz Austria is mobilizing Europe-wide resistance at the Bern Convention against the far-reaching deterioration of nature conservation standards. This coordinated action sends a signal for biodiversity and climate protection, and calls on the Convention's delegates to follow the scientific consensus and the will of the majority of the population.

Protection instead of lobby interests

Nature conservation and biodiversity experts sharply criticize the potential lowering of the protection status and warn of serious ecological and legal consequences. Tierschutz Austria appeals in advance to the delegates of the Bern Convention to strengthen, not weaken, nature and species protection in accordance with the will of the population and in view of the climate and biodiversity crisis. “The population wants to protect the wolf as an ecologically important animal, not hunt it,” said Michaela Lehner. The wolf, she argued, is being deliberately misused in the debate to advance lobby interests.

Science ignored, citizens’ will disregarded

The downgrading, which would allow a relaxation of strict protection in favour of regulated hunting, ignores scientific findings on the poor conservation status of wolf populations in Europe as well as the implications for biodiversity and climate protection. Furthermore, the proposal contradicts the objectives of the Bern Convention and the requirements of the EU Habitats Directive, as well as the declared will of around 70% of the European population who support the protection of the wolf.

Majority of EU population want the wolf protected

The results of data collected by the EU Commission show that the majority of the European population wants to maintain the wolf's protected status. Over 18’500 emails from 24 member states were evaluated, of which 71 percent called for the retention of current regulations.

Particularly in countries such as Belgium, Italy, Poland and Spain, there is overwhelming support for wolf protection. Scientific data submitted by environmental organisations, authorities and citizens point to the central role of the wolf in the ecosystem.

Political decisions of such scope must be based on scientific foundations, according to Lehner. «This is why Tierschutz Austria openly calls on the delegates of the member states to give science a hearing and to vote against any weakening of strict wolf protection,» said the environmental lawyer.

Experts warn against premature downlisting

Among others, the Large Carnivore Initiative for Europe (LCIE), a leading initiative advocating for the conservation of wolf, bear and lynx, criticises the plan to weaken strict regulation in favour of opening up hunting. Reports from other countries show that increased wolf hunting can even be counterproductive and intensify attacks on livestock, as it disrupts the social structure of wolves. «There is no scientific basis for this step,» stated the LCIE.

A threat to democratic principles

The planned EU changes to the wolf's protected status cast a spotlight on the general understanding of democracy. In animal welfare-relevant legislation such as hunting and agricultural law, the opinion of the population is overridden. The fact is: «Without binding rights of participation for animals that feel and suffer, their voice remains largely unheard in political decisions,» said Madeleine Petrovic, President of Tierschutz Austria.