Source: European Parliament
The analysis of the wolf situation published in December 2023 by the Commission[1] considered the best available data including the conservation status assessments reported by Member States under Article 17 of the Habitats Directive[2]; the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List assessments; as well as updated information on wolf numbers in the EU.
This analysis showed that the conservation status of the wolf in Europe has significantly recovered over the last decades and that the general trends in population and range were still improving.
The Commission therefore considered, with that information at hand, that waiting for the next reports to be submitted under Article 17 of the Habitats Directive was not necessary.
Generally increasing trends of both population and range of wolves in Europe have been confirmed by the latest available data, recently published by the Commission[3].
A change of the protection status of the wolf in the Habitats Directive[4] would not remove the obligation for Member States to reach or maintain good conservation status of wolf populations.
It will rather provide additional flexibility to the Member States that need it, without obliging other Member States to change the protection status of the wolf at national level.
Irrespective of any change in the legal protection status of the wolf, the Commission will continue to promote and support, through EU funding instruments, the design and implementation of appropriate coexistence solutions, including measures to prevent and reduce livestock depredations by protected wildlife species[5].
- [1] https://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/env/items/813295/en
- [2] Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora, OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7-50.
- [3] https://circabc.europa.eu/ui/group/3f466d71-92a7-49eb-9c63-6cb0fadf29dc/library/97829710-878b-4bf7-95a1-f135b00dd8f7/details
- [4] i.e. moving the species to Annex V of the Habitats Directive.
- [5] https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/nature-and-biodiversity/habitats-directive/large-carnivores/eu-large-carnivore-platform/eu-funding-and-large-carnivores_en