EU Law Eases Restrictions on Wolf Culling: A Balancing Act Between Wildlife Conservation and Coexistence
EU lawmakers approve increased wolf killings in certain regions - EU Legislators Pave Path for Increased Wolf Culling
Wolves in the EU might soon face less protection, with the majority of Members of the European Parliament supporting a change in their status under the Habitats Directive. The shifts from "strictly protected" to "protected" still require formal approval by the EU Council and member states to enforce.
Granting Flexibility in Wolf Management
This modification offers member states more freedom to manage their wolf populations based on regional needs. The aim is to improve the coexistence between wolves and humans, reducing conflicts, particularly with livestock farming [2][3]. Governments can now opt for controlled culling or regulated hunting under specific criteria while maintaining the wolf's favorable overall conservation status.
Conservation Still a Priority
Although wolves' status has changed, member states are still obligated to preserve their conservation. Countries can impose stricter protections under their national laws if they wish [3].
Risks to Wolf Recovery
Concerns have been raised by conservationists and environmental activists. They argue that the decision ignores effective coexistence tools and may jeopardize the species’ recovery progress [4][5]. Loosening protections could foster increased persecution and undermine the wolf population's conservation gains.
A Political Compromise
The decision reflects a political compromise, with major support from conservative, centrist, and socialist groups, while green and left-wing parties opposed the change [2][5]. The altered EU law concurs with the Bern Convention’s updated classification of wolves, which happened earlier in 2025 [3][5].
Time for Implementation
With formal approval from the EU Council and publication in the Official Journal, the revised directive allows member states 18 months to comply [3].
In essence, the new regulations signal a move towards a balanced approach between wolf conservation and practical management to address human-wildlife conflicts. However, concerns persist regarding potential negative consequences on wolf populations and biodiversity conservation efforts in Europe [2][3][4][5].
- The EU Parliament has supported a change in the Community policy regarding wolves' status under the Habitats Directive, aiming for more flexibility in regional wolf management while preserving their overall conservation.
- Although wolves might no longer be strictly protected, countries are still obligated to prioritize environmental-science and maintain stricter protections under their national laws if needed.
- The decision to downgrade wolf protection has been met with opposition from conservationists and environmental activists who fear it may jeopardize the species' recovery progress and undermine conservation gains due to increased persecution.
- The parliamentary approval of this policy change was a political compromise, garnering major support from various political groups, including conservative, centrist, and socialist groups, while green and left-wing parties opposed it.
- A revised directive gives member states 18 months to implement these changes following formal approval from the EU Council and publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
- As the EU works to balance wolf conservation and coexistence, climate-change and biodysersity remain pressing concerns in policy-and-legislation, with the need for science-driven solutions to ensure effective wildlife management in general-news.
