“The wolf is not dangerous for people in Europe, as EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has indicated. It is misleading and not based on research and science,” says WWF Secretary General Gustaf Lind in a press release.
The commission has given local communities and researchers time until September 22 to provide updated information about wolves, after which decisions can be made on updated rules regarding the protection of the animals.
“The size of wolf packs in some European regions has become a real danger to animal herds and perhaps also to humans,” von der Leyen wrote in a press release in early September.
In an open letter to the Commission President, WWF and several other environmental and conservation organizations emphasize that the wolf is not dangerous to humans – and instead highlight “real and tangible threats to humans”, such as extreme weather, car accidents and pollution.
They believe that today’s species and habitats directive is flexible enough to make exceptions for, for example, protective hunting.
“The wolf is an important part of our natural heritage,” says Benny Gäfvert, predator expert at WWF.