The return of wolves to Europe is a conservation success story, reflecting decades of effort to reverse their near-extinction.

On 25th September 2024, EU Member States agreed to adopt a proposal to downgrade their legal status under the international treaty that protects them - the Bern Convention. If this change is adopted and translated into national laws on 3rd December, it will make it easier to cull wolves as a false solution to livestock depredation.

The proposal contradicts scientific evidence, which shows that wolf populations are still vulnerable, and culling is ineffective in reducing livestock attacks. 300 NGOs and more than 300,000 people have already signed the petition to ask countries to block this proposal because it threatens to reverse decades of conservation efforts; erodes Europe’s credibility in wildlife conservation; and undermines investment in human-wolf coexistence strategies. While human-wolf conflict needs management, culling can destabilise pack dynamics and exacerbate conflicts with the livestock sector.

Rather than adopt and implement short-term culling measures, European countries should foster long-term measures of coexistence through traditional and modern methods of damage prevention.
If the proposal passes, it’s crucial for people to continue signing the petition to raise awareness. This will help push back against the decision and highlight the importance of safeguarding wolves, which are key to maintaining Europe's biodiversity.

Public pressure can still influence future decisions, ensuring that wolves and other species remain protected.