The Swedish government wants to halve the wolf population on its territory, from the current 375 to 170. It has given the green light to the culling of five entire families of canines, or 30 wolves in total.
This decision is part of a European trend which aims to facilitate the slaughter of these predators. The European Union has also changed the status of wolves from a “strictly protected” species to a “protected” species. This revision will come into force on March 7, 2025 and will make it easier for the European Union to amend the Habitats Directive to allow the killing of more wolves.
>> Read also: The wolf will now be less well protected in Europe
This annual quota hunt violates European legislation, and has done so since 2010, denounce its detractors. Magnus Orrebrant, president of the Swedish Carnivores Association, recalls that the predator is an endangered species. According to the latter, “the hunting lobby has enormous power. It infiltrates almost everywhere.”
An important role for the ecosystem
Opponents of hunting argue that wolves are necessary for biodiversity, playing their role in regulating herbivore populations and preventing the spread of disease by eating carcasses. According to Magnus Orrebrant, wolves should instead be imported, because they are already threatened by illegal hunting and inbreeding problems.
As for hunters, having more wolves is out of the question. Hunting is “a tradition and a way of life here”, proclaims Mikael Samuelsson, vice president of the Swedish Hunters’ Association. According to him, the presence of wolves is a real problem for breeders, despite the installation of anti-predator fences.
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Radio subject: Ottilia Férey
Adaptation web: im
