The European Union has voted in favor of lowering the protection status of gray wolves, a move that has sparked outrage among conservationists. This decision paves the way for a relaxation of strict hunting restrictions, raising concerns about the long-term impact on the species’ recovery.
The Wolf’s Resurgence
One hundred years ago, gray wolves were almost lost in Europe, but the conservation protocols have seen their population striving. But that resurgence has also brought the wolves in contact more frequently with humans, notably farmers who have experienced livestock losses
The European Commission — the one responsible with proposing this wolf kill-downgrading plan — said the ‘concentration of wolf packs in some European regions has become a real danger, especially for livestock. Some lawmakers share this view; one is Herbert Dorfmann who said that the decision will ‘encourage rural communities to act in their own interests’.
A Controversial Compromise
It is currently considered ‘strictly protected,’ meaning that a gray wolf can only be killed or captured if it threatens farm animals, human health or safety. As a result, the species would be downgraded to ‘protected,’ which would allow some regulated hunting.
However animal rights activists and conservationists are extremely critical of this amendment stating it is premature and unscientific. They worry that would in effect be a version of the bill to shoot, shovel and shut up — killing hundreds of wolves in secret and confusing the state’s ability to manage them properly.
Some countries have already been lobbying for looser hunting rules for other animals, such as the brown bear, and Sabien Leemans, a senior policy officer at environmental group WWF warns that Wednesday’s decision could be ‘opening up a pandora’s box.’ However, the commission maintains it is only targeting the wolf and rebuts these arguments.
Conclusion
A very contentious and potentially significant resolution passed by European Union bureaucrats — EU decision to demote protection of gray wolves from maximum level the status. Although the commission argues it is necessary to confront rising wolf populations, conservationists and animal rights activists warn it would amount to a drastic rollback of the animals’ efforts at recovery. Regardless in this debate a compromise or balanced approach is necessary to protect wolf populations and the interests of rural communities.
