Government of Sweden permits the culling of a record 75 wolves as environmentalists condemn, while the rural population supports the decision to protect their livestock
Sweden has permitted the hunting of a record 75 wolves, which number is two times more than usual.
This issue has started a major controversy in the country that has been positioning itself among the leaders in the European Union in environmental protection.
According to a report by Euronews on Monday, February 6, environmental groups have been opposing this decision by the Swedish government to organise an annual hunt, while farmers living in the rural areas state its importance as wolves are a threat to their livestock.
As per estimates in the report, over 340 sheep were taken by wolves in 2021, which as prompted the farmers to support their culling.
Due to this reason, the Swedish government has taken the decision to cull 75 animals from the Swedish wolf population this year to reduce its population from the current estimates of 460.
Wolves were declared a protected species in the 1960s as they had been hunted to the brink of extinction. After decades of conservation, their numbers started to grow and then in 2010, licenses for hunting them were issued after their population exceeded 200.
Sweden also issued hunting licenses for other endangered species including brown bears, wolverines, and lynx.
Meanwhile, scientists believe that the number of Wolves in Scandinavia should be kept above 500.
But while a recent motion passed by the right and far right groups in the Swedish parliament has asked the government to reduce their number between 170 and 270.
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