Wolf Protection Status in Europe Faces Rework as Debates over Population Surge Intensify
A proposal to downgrade the wolf’s protected status in Europe is stirring controversy and reigniting debates surrounding the predator’s growing presence and potential impact on livestock. The proposal, submitted at the end of September by the European Union, would allow for the regulated killing of wolves under specific circumstances.
Yann Laurans, WWF program director for France, explains that this means “generalizing to Europe what France already practices by derogation,” which allows for wolf-culling under specific conditions.
The EU claims its proposal is based on an “in-depth analysis” showing a growing wolf population, reaching 20,300 individuals in 2023, primarily concentrated in the Balkans, Nordic countries, Italy, and Spain. Brussels argues that this expansion has led to challenges in coexisting with human activities, citing “significant levels” of damage to livestock.
Last year, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed concern about the “real danger” posed by wolves to livestock and, potentially, to humans. Some speculate this stems from a personal grudge after a wolf killed a pony on her property in northern Germany.
Across Europe, the debate rages on. In Haute-Saône, eastern France, farmers reported attacks on their animals in early November, criticizing state services for rejecting requests for defensive shots. The president of the Chamber of Agriculture in the neighboring Doubs department even called on breeders to arm themselves and illegally “kill” wolves to protect their herds.
Laurans cautions that the removal of wolves from herds only accounts for about 1% of all livestock attacks in Europe, pointing out that other animals also pose a threat. He argues that destabilizing a pack’s “very precise social organization” could potentially lead to “more disordered behavior” toward herds.
Several NGOs, including the animal rights group One Voice, have denounced the EU proposal. In a letter sent in late November to the secretary of the Berne Convention, Mikaël Poutiers, they asserted that the proposal is “widely considered illegal, lacking scientific justification, and violating the principles of democratic participation.”
They argue that the proposal relies on a single, non-peer-reviewed report produced by a consultancy firm subcontracted by the European Commission.
“The wolf population, wrongly judged as healthy by the European Commission, is in reality still quite fragile,” insists Laurans. “By weakening the species which is the summit of the European ecological system, we risk weakening the overall health, already quite weak, of the European ecosystem.”
Prime Minister Michel Barnier, during a visit to the Livestock Summit in early October, suggested that the new official assessment of the wolf population in France, expected by the end of 2024, could be a “key moment” to potentially increase culling. In 2023, the estimated wolf population stood at 1,003 individuals in France, a 9% decrease from the previous year. Roughly 20% of the population is culled annually.
The decision on the proposal will be made at the Berne Convention committee meeting, scheduled for December 2 to 6 at the Council of Europe headquarters in Strasbourg. If adopted, the change would come into effect three months later in countries that do not object. The Berne Convention is comprised of the 46 member states of the Council of Europe, excluding San Marino, and four African states: Burkina Faso, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia.
What are the arguments for and against downgrading the protection status of wolves in Europe?
## Wolf Debate in Europe: A Balancing Act
**Interviewer:** Joining us today is Yann Laurans, WWF programme director for France, to discuss the controversial proposal to downgrade the protection status of wolves in Europe. Yann, thanks for being here.
**Yann Laurans:** It’s a pleasure to be here.
**Interviewer:** The EU is proposing to move wolves from “strictly protected” to simply “protected” status. What does this mean in practice?
**Yann Laurans:** This essentially means generalizing to all of Europe what France already does by derogation – allowing for the regulated killing of wolves under certain conditions. [[1](https://www.euronews.com/green/2023/12/20/brussels-proposes-lighter-protection-for-europes-growing-wolf-population)]
**Interviewer:** The EU cites a growing wolf population, reaching over 20,000 individuals, and argues this is causing challenges, particularly for livestock farmers. How valid are these concerns?
**Yann Laurans:** It’s true that the wolf population has been increasing, but it’s important to remember that wolves play a crucial role in maintaining healthy ecosystems. The EU claims that wolves are responsible for “significant levels” of damage to livestock, but in reality, wolf predation only accounts for about 1% of all livestock attacks in Europe. Other animals pose a far greater threat. [ [1](https://www.euronews.com/green/2023/12/20/brussels-proposes-lighter-protection-for-europes-growing-wolf-population)]
**Interviewer:** What are the potential consequences of downgrading wolf protection?
**Yann Laurans:** Weakening wolf protection could lead to further population decline and ultimately disrupt the delicate balance of our ecosystems.
**Interviewer:** We’ve seen strong reactions from both sides of this debate. What is your message to those concerned about wolf attacks on livestock?
**Yann Laurans:** I understand the concerns of farmers, and there are ways to mitigate the risks through non-lethal methods such as livestock guarding dogs and electric fences. We need to find sustainable solutions that protect both livestock and wolves.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Yann Laurans, for sharing your insights on this complex issue.