Nature is under attack: The protection of wolves is being downgraded in the Bern Convention.
On December 3, 2024, the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention voted in favor of downgrading the protective status of wolves. This decision has faced strong criticism from nature conservation experts and environmental organizations.
The Environmental Organizations co-signing this announcement join their voices with other European groups and international networks, denouncing the decision as a serious misstep devoid of any scientific rationale. This decision, influenced by the EU’s push to weaken wolf protection, disregards appeals from over 300 Civil Society Organizations, the Large Carnivore Initiative for Europe, and hundreds of thousands of citizens who advocated for evidence-based actions to promote coexistence with large carnivores. Instead, European countries supported politically motivated decisions.
The EU already allows responsible management of wolf populations, including culling when necessary. However, in December 2023, the European Commission proposed further weakening wolf protection under the pretext of mitigating livestock damages. This proposal followed a consultation process criticized by organizations like ClientEarth for being flawed and is now under investigation by the European Ombudsman.
Downgrading wolf protections risks deepening social divides rather than fostering constructive solutions. Wolf populations, which have barely recovered after near extinction across most of Europe, could be jeopardized by this weakening of safeguards. Instead of reducing tensions, this decision may exacerbate polarization and erode public trust in effective wolf population management.
Co-signing organizations:
ANIMA
ARION
ARCTUROS
ARCHELON
Action for Wildlife
Hellenic Ornithological Society
Hellenic Society for the Environment and Culture
Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature
Hellenic Network “Friends of Nature”
Thrace Biodiversity Protection Society
Society for the Protection of Prespa
CALLISTO – Environmental Organization for Wildlife and Nature
Ecological Recycling Society
i-Sea
Greenpeace
MEDASSET
MedINA
Mom
The Green Tank
WWF Greece