WWF sues Norwegian state for killing wolves: next week in court
Twenty-eight. That is the number of wolves that hunters killed in Norway this winter. The hunters shot wolves both inside and outside the so-called wolf zones. The latest population estimates from early 2017 indicate maximum 56 wolves in Norway, plus the same amount living at the border with Sweden. The wolf is still a protected species, also in Norway. Then why is there so much hostility towards the wolf?
Please also read: Why is Norway killing wolves?
Public protests against killing
During the hunting season in last winter, many protests took place in and outside Norway. It was a reaction to the decision of the Norwegian Minister of Environment to kill 42 wolves. Like many other countries in Europe, the Norwegian government uses excuses to ‘control’ their wolf population. The decision-makers ignore scientific proof that killing of wolves can have opposite effects. Managing wolf populations, in other words regulated killing, does not seem to lead to a solution. Instead, there is a clear strategy to support a coexistence, implemented across various regions in Europe already.
WWF sues Norwegian state
The Norwegian management of wolves, boiling down to killing almost 50% annually, is unlawful. As WWF states, it goes against the Norwegian constitution, the Biodiversity Act and the Bern Convention. WWF submitted short-term demands to stop the winter hunt. However, the Oslo District Court dismissed the case twice.
Another case now goes to court, next week. The trial will take place April 24th to 28th.
Follow the latest developments on the website of WWF Norway and support the case.
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