The ‘strictly protected’ status of the wolf in Europe is maintained. A proposal from the European Commission to classify the animal in the ‘protected’ category has been rejected. By lowering the status, the wolf could be hunted, or even shot, sooner.
The European Commission, the executive body of the European Union, announced the plans in December. The strict protection that the wolf now enjoys, which prohibits disturbing, hunting and killing, would no longer be necessary.
Strictly speaking, the proposal concerned ‘large carnivores’, which, in addition to the wolf, includes the bear and lynx.
The wolf was given ‘strictly protected’ status in 1979. Since then, the animal’s population in Europe has increased considerably. It is estimated that more than 20,000 wolves live within the borders of the European Union. There are two wolf packs with cubs in Drenthe, in the Drenthe-Friese Wold and in Central Drenthe, with a total of eighteen animals. Several wolf packs also live on the Veluwe.
EU President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that she believes the return of the wolf is ‘good for biodiversity in Europe’. According to her, it is a problem in a number of regions where wolves pose ‘a serious danger’ to livestock.
The European Agricultural Council, with Agriculture & Fisheries Ministers from all EU member states, rejected the proposal this week. The European Commission will not continue discussing the issue of less protection for the wolf until next year at the earliest.