WWF European Policy Office’s Post

😠 This can't go unnoticed! The EU pushes to lower the wolf's strictly protected status, putting political decisions over science. One of the biggest nature conservation successes in Europe, the wolf’s return from the brink of extinction, might be shattered very soon. In September 2024, EU countries endorsed the European Commission's proposal to lower the wolf protection status. Next week, the EU's proposal will be voted on in the Bern Convention meeting. The EU and other Parties to the convention will decide the wolf's future. But science does not warrant downgrading the protection status! The proposal overlooks critical facts:   🐺 Most wolf populations are still at risk as only 3 of 9 wolf sub-populations in Europe are “Least Concern” (IUCN 2022)  📈 EU data shows the wolf has a favourable conservation status in only 1 of 7 biogeographical regions 🌍 With just 1 wolf per 218 km², their presence is far from overwhelming in Europe’s vast landscapes If the EU manages to downgrade the wolf’s protection status without any scientific evidence, where does it leave us? It would put into question the EU’s evidence-based policymaking, our commitment to tackling biodiversity and climate crises, and decades of efforts in the area of nature conservation. This can't go unnoticed!