Hunting of bears granted approval by Estonian judiciary
Resumption of Bear Hunting in Estonia: A Look at the Court's Decision
After a period of suspension, bear hunting is set to resume in Estonia as of August 14, 2022. This decision was made following the Tallinn Administrative Court's revocation of the interim injunction against the Estonian Environmental Board's July 2 order.
The court's ruling allowed the bear hunting season to restart, a move that was likely influenced by considerations involving wildlife management and population control. Leelo Kukk, deputy director general for wildlife at the Environmental Board, has stated that the initial bear hunting quota is justified.
However, the exact reasoning behind the court's decision or Leelo Kukk's public statements is not fully detailed in the available documents. The resumption of bear hunting was likely a contested or debated decision, reflecting conflicting opinions around bear hunting policy in Estonia at that time.
The need to manage increasing bear populations to prevent damage to human property or agricultural interests, maintain ecological balance, and comply with legal assessments of hunting regulations and permits are some of the factors that may have influenced the decision.
It is important to note that the administrative court's ruling can be challenged in the Tallinn Circuit Court. The large carnivore management plan sets a minimum requirement for the number of bear litters with cubs that Estonia must maintain, with at least 70 bear litters with cubs being the minimum requirement.
Bears have been increasingly entering settlements, causing damage to beehives and breaking silo bales. The growth in the bear population is a success story from the perspective of nature protection, but a balance needs to be found, according to Leelo Kukk.
As of the fall of 2024, there are estimated to be at least 112 such litters in Estonia, indicating a significant bear population. The administrative court's decision allows for the possibility of bear hunting to continue, pending any further challenges in the Tallinn Circuit Court.
In summary, the main reason for resuming bear hunting under the Tallinn Administrative Court's decision appears to be a legal authorization that allowed the hunting season to restart, presumably supported by wildlife management arguments from Leelo Kukk, but the exact argumentation is not available in the provided documents. For more detailed information about the court's ruling or Leelo Kukk's statements, specific legal documents or direct news sources from August 2022 should be consulted.
Sports enthusiasts might argue that the resumption of bear hunting contradicts the overall goal of maintaining a healthy and balanced ecosystem, given that a significant bear population exists in Estonia. The court's decision, while focused on wildlife management and population control, could also impact the environment, raising questions about the long-term effects on the ecological system.
