EU allows wolf hunt: farmers cheer, animal rights activists in turmoil!

EU allows wolf hunt: farmers cheer, animal rights activists in turmoil!

Estland, Europa - On June 12, 2025, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) made an important judgment on wolf hunt in Estonia. In its decision, the wolf continues to be classified as "endangered", but the animal's state of preservation allows hunting because it is considered "cheap". This marks a turning point in dealing with wolves in Europe, since since the beginning of June 2023 the wolf is no longer considered "strictly protected", but is only classified as "protected". This judgment brings changes in particular for Estonia, where the environmental organization Eesti Suurkiskjad had contested the hunting quota for the 2020/2021 season of 140 copies. They argued that the wolf's state of preservation in Estonia could not be considered "cheap".

The Estonian Supreme Court had asked the ECJ for interpreting the 2013 habitat directive. The guideline determines three requirements that must be met so that the state of preservation can be considered to be favorable: the presence of a viable wolf population, a stable distribution area and sufficient habitat. The classification as "endangered" does not rule out that the state of preservation can also be considered cheap.

Change of protection status in the EU

In addition to the judgment of the ECJ, the European Parliament has supported a proposal to change the Fauna Flora Habitat Directive. With 371 votes for it, 162 against it and 37 abstentions, the wolf is downgraded by a "strictly protected" to a "protected" status. The proposal takes place on the initiative of the parliament and was already initiated by the EU Commission in December 2023 to bring the wolf's protection status into harmony with the Bern Convention. This amendment to the law should allow Member States more freedom of action in the management of wolf populations and adapt the measures to regional conditions.

Success in species protection also leads to challenges. Over 20,000 wolves now live in Europe, which leads to conflicts with agriculture in some regions. Member States are obliged to ensure the favorable condition of the wolf, but have freedom to define their own protective measures. This flexibility is welcomed by agriculture, while animal rights activists criticize the changes.

demands for more flexible wolf management

As part of these developments, the European umbrella organization for hunting and nature conservation (FACE) wrote an open letter to the EU Commission. The focus is on the need for a adapted and flexible wolf management in Europe. This includes downgrading the wolf's protection status and revision of the guidelines of the EU Commission. President Torbjörn Larsson demands that Member States receive more scope in order to better meet the challenges of a growing wolf population.

In Germany, the German Hunting Association (DJV) pleads for a relaxation of the protection requirements. DJV President Helmut Dammann-Tamke emphasizes that the strict regulations from the 1990s no longer meet the current circumstances. He warns of possible conflicts and falling acceptance for the wolf if the protective measures are not adapted. The ministerial conference of the federal states has already spoken out for a loosening of the protection status.

These developments mark an important step in EU policy to deal with the wolf and show the different interests and challenges associated with the protection and management of wildlife populations.

For further information on this topic, visit the articles by OE24 , Europarl and Jagdverband .