Sweden’s wolves in hunters’ sights as government eases protection

Following the recent downgrade of the wolf’s protection status across Europe, Sweden is almost halving the number of individuals that must remain protected.

The Swedish government announced today that it will reduce from 300 to just 170 the population size that must be maintained to meet the criteria for 'favourable conservation status' under EU rules.

“A first interim goal is for the wolf population to be reduced to 270 individuals by the next licensed hunt in 2026,” Swedish Minister of Rural Affairs Peter Kullgren said.

The decision has been communicated to the European Commission and will apply across the country for the next six years, unless the EU executive decides to challenge it.

Earlier this year, the European Commission proposed a change to the Habitats Directive, downgrading the wolf’s protection status from ‘strictly protected’ to ‘protected’. This followed a successful push for a corresponding downgrade under the Bern Convention on nature protection.

The decision, already given the green light by EU legislators, makes it easier for national and regional governments to issue hunting licenses – including in Sweden, despite its track record of illegal hunting.

The Commission has always maintained that the move would not change the legal obligation of EU countries to ensure the favourable conservation status of the wolf. However, Sweden may have found a work-around.

The country is also expected to adopt a new wolf management plan to cover the same six-year period.

(rh, aw)