The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency has decided that 27 wolves may be shot under licence during the period 2 January – 15 February. This number represents just over 10 per cent of the Swedish wolf population.
Controlled hunting of wolves has long taken place in Sweden, and licensed hunting of wolves is now also being introduced. This follows a recent parliamentary decision on large carnivore management, aimed at increasing acceptance of large carnivores. The decision imposes a temporary limitation on the increase in wolf numbers and introduces measures to improve the genetic status of the Scandinavian wolf population.
The Scandinavian wolf population originates from three individuals that migrated from Finland/Russia in the 1980s and 1990s. Last year another wolf from the east was discovered in Sweden, and one in Norway. Both had litters in 2008 and 2009. These represent valuable additions to the Scandinavian wolf population, which suffers from severe inbreeding. Licensed hunting will begin on 2 January, and may be followed by relocation of wolves of easterly origin.
"We are now implementing the new large carnivore management policy approved by Parliament. Licensed hunting of wolves is the first step; the next move is delegation of powers of decision to county administrative boards. We will be monitoring developments and are prepared to change our rules if we see a need to do so," says Maria Ågren, Director-General of the Swedish EPA.
Before making the decision, the EPA sought comment from wolf researchers and the county administrative boards concerned. The decision has been discussed by the EPA Council for Predator Issues. The conditions to which hunting will be subject have also been discussed with Swedish hunting organisations.
Wolf numbers – a balancing act
The task delegated to the EPA by Parliament is to balance the population at a level not exceeding 210 individuals, with 20 litters born annually. The latest count carried out last winter revealed that there were between 182 and 217 wolves in Sweden. The total number in Sweden and Norway – the Scandinavian population – was between 213 and 252 animals. New litters have been produced since then.
"Deciding a quota for non-selective licensed hunting that will not endanger the survival of the wolf population is a balancing act. We cannot permit too many wolves to be shot under licence, since we need to have scope for controlled hunting of wolves that attack livestock. Five such wolves have been shot since 1 March this year," says Susanna Löfgren, Head of the Wildlife Management Unit.
Having considered all the relevant factors, the Swedish EPA has decided on a total licensed hunting quota of 27 wolves. Wolf researchers on the Skandulv Scandinavian Wolf Project consider that between 30 and 48 wolves should be shot by controlled and licensed hunting to achieve the wolf population targets set by Parliament.
The hunting period is 2 January – 15 February. Hunting will be called off when the quota in a given county or part of a county has been filled. The EPA believes that yearling cubs will survive even if their parent is shot.
County quotas
Licensed hunting will be permitted in the five counties where breeding wolves are present, i.e. where litters have been produced each of past three years. The quota per county is based on the distribution of the Swedish part of the Scandinavian wolf population. This means that approximately one-third of the total quota has gone to Värmland and Dalarna – 9 wolves each. One-ninth – 3 wolves per country – has been allocated to Västra Götaland, Örebro and Gävleborg counties.
"It is important to protect the wolves that have migrated into Sweden and Norway from the east in recent years, and also to protect their offspring. So no hunting will be permitted in and around the Galven territory in Gävleborg county. We urge all hunters not to shoot wolves fitted with radio collars, since some of the easterly individuals may be migrating," says Ms Löfgren.
The EPA has essentially adopted the quotas proposed by the county administrative boards, except for Västra Götaland county. There, the county administrative board proposed that all the wolves in one pack – Kroppefjäll – should be shot.
"There are at least six wolves in the Kroppefjäll pack, and the EPA considers that shooting them all would be excessive in view of wolf numbers and distribution in Sweden," comments Ms Löfgren.
Conditions for controlled hunting
The Government has decided that anyone wishing to take part in licensed hunting must be registered for this purpose in the National Hunting Register. A hunting party leader must be appointed in advance.
"The hunting party leader is to report any wolf shot to the county administrative board immediately (within one hour). The leader must obtain up-to-date information every hour on the number of wolves shot in the county or area," explains Ms Löfgren.
The kill locality must be inspected by the county administrative board inspector within 24 hours. The licensee is allowed to keep the skin, but must hand over the rest of the body to the inspector, who will arrange for it to be sent to the National Veterinary Institute. All wolves shot by hunters or found dead are examined at the Institute.
Read the full decision (in Swedish) at our webpage
Decisions on wofl hunting (in Swedish)
For further information, please contact
Per Risberg, +46 (0)8-698 85 34, nv-natur (a) naturvardsverket.se
Anneli Nivrén, Press Officer, +46 (0)8 6981312, 070-206 37 27, anneli.nivren (a) naturvardsverket.se