SWEDISH wolves will be culled after animal welfare activists lost the battle to stop the massacre in court.
On Friday, a Supreme Administrative Court announced plans to shoot 24 wolves could go ahead, despite massive protests it could lead to the extinction of the magnificent beasts in the Scandinavian country.
Torbjorn Nilsson, the President of the Swedish Association predators, hit out against the ruling as he said the Swedish wolf population was already so low it could compromise its future in the wild.
He said: “I think it’s an unfortunate and surprising decision.
“It is unfortunate because the wolf population is still quite small, very inbred and too isolated. Therefore, one should not hunt in this way.”
Hunters have been given permission from January 2 to hunt across four counties; six in Värmland, six in territory shared between Värmland and Örebro, six in Dalarna and six in the Gavleborg.
Animal activists have also hit out against the ruling, in fear of dogs being used for pack hunting on the stunning predators.
Branding it as unethical because it causes unnecessary suffering before the wolf is shot, Jan Bergstam of the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, said: “If a lonely pup gets three dogs after it I think it’s unethical.
“When other countries prohibit pack hunting, Sweden shouldn’t start.”
Hitting back at the criticism, Maria Falkevik of the County Administrative Board of Värmland, said the biggest risk of pack hunting would be posed to the dogs, not the wolves.
“I would say the biggest risk would be to the dog, or the dogs, in this case.
“There are practical circumstances that control how one uses the dogs. And any form of pack hunting is out of the question in Sweden, it is not used on any wild animal. Besides, one must always take care that wildlife isn’t subjected to unnecessary suffering during the hunt.
“Most of this is regulated by law.”
The controversial decision in Sweden comes after outrage erupted in neighbouring Norway in September after the department for wildlife sanctioned the death of 70 per cent of the country’s wolf population.
Comments
I bliver nødt til at stoppe med at
Dræbe ulvene.
Pleas Join us and help our Cause to grow in the Direction that Our Wolves, Bison, and Grizzlies need. http://continuetogive.com/protectthewolves
Stop, this slaughter. I live in America we need to stop here too.ley Nature take care of it’s self. I
Hi Debbie,
We are working very hard towards that end
Pleas Join us and help our Cause to grow in the Direction that Our Wolves, Bison, and Grizzlies need. http://continuetogive.com/protectthewolves
I find this culling of natures magnificent wolves to be offensive, they are not only a beautiful animal, but they are vital to nature and the role they play in helping shape the ecosystem and keeping herds healthy. It has become far to easy to just take out a rifle & kill. We need to start using the brains God gave us and “Manage” wildlife, not constantly kill it. We must stop this from continuing, for once they are gone, they are gone and then you will see the rest of nature start to suffer. As it has already
Hi Kim,
Pleas Join us and help our Cause to grow in the Direction that Our Wolves, Bison, and Grizzlies need. http://continuetogive.com/protectthewolves
Please save these wolves.
We will do just that with your support! Pleas Join us and help our Cause to grow in the Direction that Our Wolves, Bison, and Grizzlies need. http://continuetogive.com/protectthewolves
A country where the people become to comfortable and lazy, becomes a country destroyable by anarchist and corporatists!!! Don’t follow Americans sad example of ignoring the wildlife! Cherish them and you have wonderful tourism!!
Exactly Debra, Pleas Join us and help our Cause to grow in the Direction that Our Wolves, Bison, and Grizzlies need. http://continuetogive.com/protectthewolves