[Mikael]

10 000 hunters to shoot 27 wolves

Roughly translated by TWIN Observer


Stockholm / TT

This winter 27 wolves are to be shot in Sweden, during the first general license hunting of wolves in 45 years. This is equivalent to just over one tenth of the Swedish wolf population. Over 10 000 hunters asked to participate. But the hunt is contrary to EU legislation, says Society for Nature Conservation.

The hunting license decision is a result of the parliament ruled that the wolf population in the country must not exceed 210 animals and 20 new litters will be born each year, similar to the situation today.So is the acceptance of the wolf increase, while retaining a viable wolf population.

Wolf Scientists have estimated that 30-48 wolves should be included in licensed and protective hunts in order to achieve objectives of Parliament. The Environmental Protection Agency has stopped at 27 animals depend on that five wolves taken through protective hunts since 1 March this year, a new decision on the protective and taken a dozen other requests for protective treatment now.

An experiment
More than 10 600 hunters have expressed a wish to participate in the hunt, which will run January 2 -15 February. Susanna Löfgren, Head Office Viltforvaltning department, admits that winter hunting can be seen as an experiment.

"We must evaluate and learn from it and the next winter season, then adjust the regulatory framework," she says.

Swedish Hunters Association welcomes licensed hunting but Swedish predator association is critical.

"It feels like an risky venture where you play with very small margins," said Secretary Ann Dahlerus.

They receive the support of the Nature Conservation Organization, which believes that hunting is contrary to EU law.

"We will submit a formal complaint to the commission. In order to allow licensed hunting of a protected species must be species have attained so-called 'favorable' conservation status, something that certainly is not the case with the difficult inbred Swedish-Norwegian wolf population," said Oscar Alaric environmental lawyer at the Conservation Society said in a statement.

Next year a decision on the hunting license delegated to provincial governments. In order to strengthen it difficult inbred wolf population is not more than 20 new genetically valuable wolves brought in from the east the years 2010-2014.

Most in Värmland and Dalarna
The licensed hunt distributed among the top five wolves counties, where the litters were born each year in the last three years. Värmland and Dalarna may shoot nine wolves each while Västra Götaland, Örebro and Gävleborg may make three wolves each.

In Gävleborg allowed no hunting in the Galven region where migrated genetically healthy wolves live. Västra Götaland may not shoot all six wolves in Kroppefjäll territory.

The Environmental Protection Agency sets a series of requirements on licensed hunting. Hunting leader to every hour to keep up to date on the number of taken wolves to not risk more than the permitted number. The wolf and the place where it was killed shall also be inspected.

Hunters may find wolf tracks in the car and the terrain scooter or quad bike, but only along existing roads.
"They must not persecute wolves", says Ola Larsson Environmental Protection Agency.

The only good part is this

"In order to strengthen it difficult inbred wolf population is not more than 20 new genetically valuable wolves brought in from the east the years 2010-2014."

Sad regards / Mikael