Wolf Hunting in Sweden

18 January 2011

In 2010, Sweden reintroduced wolf hunting for the first time since 1964 with a quota of 27 wolves per hunter. That number has dropped to 20 this year. The total wolf population is estimated to be about 200.

Environment Commissioner Janez Potocnik believes the animals have an "unfavourable conservation status". Mr Potocnik said the "actions of the Swedish authorities leave me with little choice other than to propose to the Commission that it begin formal proceedings against Sweden for breach of EU environmental law. ... I hope that the Swedish government's promised effort to address the unfavourable conservation status of the wolf population in Sweden through translocation of wolves from other parts of Europe will be pursued without delay."

According to the WWF (World Wildlife Fund), the very narrow genetic base for wolves in Norway threatens their population.

So far, 14 wolves have been killed. Hunting will continue until the end of February.

Source: Sweden wolf hunt brings EU legal threat
Author: Jonathan Reynolds

Link: EU commissioner may go to court vs Sweden wolf hunt