A wild wolf (Canis lupus) in the wild of the border between Finland and Russia in Kuhmo, Northern Finland. Photo: Jussi Nukari / Lehtikuva
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A majority of Finnish Members of Parliament are ready to reduce the protection level of wolves from “strictly protected” to “protected,” according to a new survey by Yle.
Of 107 MPs who responded, 83 expressed support for relaxing the current protections. The move would allow more flexible hunting practices, in line with a recent European Parliament decision enabling EU member states to determine their own regulatory approach to wolf management.
Under existing rules, wolves classified as strictly protected may only be hunted in exceptional circumstances, such as a proven threat to human safety or domestic animals. If reclassified as protected, regulated hunting could be permitted more broadly for population control or livestock protection.
Support for the change comes amid ongoing debate about the balance between conservation and rural concerns. The Finnish wolf population remains small, with fewer than 300 individuals recorded. Despite the low number, calls for population management have grown in areas where wolves have caused damage to livestock.
Opposition to the proposed reclassification came from 21 MPs. Of these, 11 were from the Greens and eight from the Left Alliance. Respondents cited the species’ endangered status and ecological role as reasons to maintain current protections.
Some argued that with such a low population, further easing restrictions would threaten the species’ viability in Finland. Others acknowledged the difficulties caused by wolves in rural areas but said such problems did not justify a legal downgrade in protection.
The Finnish government submitted a proposal this spring to Parliament seeking to loosen restrictions on hunting large carnivores, including wolves. If passed, the proposal would mark a significant policy shift in wildlife management.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
