Wolf cull widens as EU court action launched

Finland is joining Sweden and Norway in culling wolves to control their population, as conservation groups appeal to the EU to take action. Hunters in Sweden have already shot dead most of their annual target of 27 wolves, while Finland has authorised the killing of 20 wolves in its first “population management cull” for seven years. Norway, which is not an EU member but bound by some of its laws, will kill about 60% of its wolves this northern winter – 51 animals – to maintain a maximum of just three breeding pairs.

Conservationists accuse Nordic nations of creating the most hostile environment for wolves in western Europe and flouting EU laws that protect the species, which has made a comeback in recent years but remains endangered in many countries.

In Norway, 5% of the country is designated a wolf protection zone. Despite this, 25 wolves will be killed inside the protection zone this winter, unless a court action by animal rights group Noah, together with WWF Norway and Association Our Predators, is successful.