European Parliament votes to downgrade wolf protection, putting their future at risk
The European Parliament has shunned scientific evidence and public opinion and voted in favour of a Commission proposal to downgrade the protection status of wolves.
(c) Frida Lannerstrom
The change will see the status of Europe’s wolves reduced under the EU Habitats Directive, weakening the effectiveness of European legislation in protecting and enhancing their fragile recovery.
The downgrading follows a similar move in March by the Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, which reduced the status of wolves from “strictly protected” to “protected”. All EU Member States are signatories to the Convention.
Responding to the news, Born Free’s Head of Policy Dr Mark Jones said: “Wolves were almost completely wiped out across much of Western Europe thanks to centuries of persecution, but following the introduction of strict legal protections and the efforts of conservationists they have begun to recover. By 2023, the number of wolves across the European Union had increased to more than 20,000, and breeding packs had become established in 23 EU Member States. Nevertheless, their recovery remains fragile. The downgrading of their protection status risks undermining this recovery and returning wolves to the dark days of hunting and persecution.”
A comprehensive public opinion survey conducted in November 2023 across 10 EU Member States found that the overwhelming majority, including those in rural communities, believe that wolves should remain strictly protected. Conservation groups have presented strong scientific evidence for the retention of strict protections. Authorities have consistently failed to implement non-lethal solutions to address livestock predation issues.
Moves to reduce wolf protections appear to have been triggered by calls from Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, reportedly following a wolf attack in 2023 which heft her pony dead.
Dr Jones continued: “The Parliament’s decision to support the Commission’s deeply flawed proposal is clearly politically motivated, when it should be listening to independent scientific advice and reflecting public opinion. The decision is a serious backward move at a time when Europe should be leading global efforts to halt and reverse the precipitous decline in nature and wildlife.”
Born Free has consistently supported efforts by conservationists across Europe to maintain the strict protection for wolves, and will continue to do so.