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Illegal wolf shooting in the Mühlviertel: WWF calls for immediate action!
In view of illegal wolf killings in Austria, WWF is calling for a nationwide action plan and better protection for wild animals.
Illegal wolf shooting in the Mühlviertel: WWF calls for immediate action!
On December 11th, an illegally killed wolf was found in the Mühlviertel, leading to an outcry from conservation organizations. In response, WWF Austria is calling for a comprehensive action plan to combat wildlife crime. According to WWF species protection expert Christian Pichler, good cooperation between authorities, nature conservation organizations and the judiciary is necessary to prevent illegal hunting of protected species. What is particularly worrying is that 26 wolves have already been killed in Austria this year alone, which corresponds to around a quarter of the total recorded population of around 100 animals.
The statistics show that 22 wolves were killed by regulations that breached EU law, while three animals were killed illegally and one wolf died in traffic. Pichler points out that the number of unreported cases of wildlife crime may be even higher, which further exacerbates the already tense situation of the wolf population in Austria. In order to reduce conflicts between wolves and humans, the WWF is calling for a return to scientifically based solutions and a comprehensive herd protection offensive.
EU-wide discussion about wolf protection
The topic of wolf protection is also being discussed at the European level. In a recent decision, EU states have approved a proposal that would make it easier to shoot wolves. Germany supports this regulation, which aims to give authorities more freedom of action regarding wolf management. The EU Commission made this proposal in December 2025 with the aim of maintaining the balance between grazing livestock and species protection. Federal Environment Minister Steffi Lemke emphasizes that these measures should not be interpreted as a free pass for uncontrolled shooting.
There are currently over 20,000 wolves living in the EU, whose populations are recovering thanks to strict protective measures. Nevertheless, conflicts with livestock farming occur in many regions, including Brandenburg, Lower Saxony and also in countries such as Spain and France, as wolves prey on livestock. Supporting herd protection measures is considered essential.
Policies and challenges
At the political level, the European Parliament voted by a majority of 371 votes to amend the Fauna-Flora-Habitat Directive, which will adjust the protection status of the wolf. The aim is to downgrade the status from “strictly protected” to “protected”, giving member states more freedom to manage wolf populations. These legislative changes are intended to help better manage human-wolf conflicts, but are not without challenges as the obligation to ensure a favorable conservation status of the wolf remains.
The changes are to be implemented by member states within 18 months, while the EU Commission plans to downgrade the wolf's protection status under the Bern Convention after the decisions are formally confirmed. The efforts to date to avert threats against wildlife crime and to protect species protection are far from complete.
The WWF invites you to report suspicious finds or information about wildlife crime via the hotline +43 676 444 66 12 or by email to melde@wildlifecrime.at. It is becoming increasingly clear that joint action at all levels is necessary to enable peaceful coexistence between humans and wolves.