Nature under attack: Bern Convention weakens wolf protection

Yesterday, December 3rd, the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention voted to lower the protection status of wolves, a decision widely criticized by conservation experts and environmental organizations.

The Environmental Organizations that co-sign this statement join other European organizations and international networks in considering that this decision, which was prompted by the EU’s attempt to weaken the protection of the wolf, is a serious mistake as it lacks scientific evidence.

By voting to weaken wolf protections under the Bern Convention, EU Member States ignored the pleas of over 300+ civil society organisations, the Large Carnivore Initiative for Europe and hundreds of thousands of citizens urging science-based action to promote coexistence with large carnivores. Instead, European countries seem to have supported politically motivated decisions.

The EU already allows for the responsible management of wolves, including culling if necessary. Yet, in December 2023, the European Commission proposed weakening wolf protection under the guise of livestock depredation, following a consultation process that ClientEarth says was flawed and is now being investigated by the EU Ombudsman.

Downgrading these protections risks deepening social divides rather than fostering constructive solutions. Wolf populations have barely recovered after going extinct in most parts of Europe, and weakening their protection could jeopardize this fragile recovery.

Instead of easing tensions, this decision could exacerbate polarization and erode trust in efforts to manage wolf populations effectively.

Τhe organizations co-signigng this announcement: