The Norwegian Directorate for Nature granted licences to hundreds of farmers to kill the wolves as a measure to prevent the loss of domestic livestock, primarily sheep.

The wolf (Canis lupus) became a protected species in Norway in 1973 and is cited on their red list of endangered species as 'critically endangered'.

We called on Passport holders to appeal to Norway's Minister for Environment, Knut Arild Hareide, to save Norway's wolves before its too late! More than 11,500 emails we’re sent to the Minister! The action generated substantial public support, with 300 new members joining WWF-Norway over the past couple of months. The wolf hunt issue was a main item in national and local media in Norway for more than three weeks.

While we have lost the battle, the war is not over!

WWF, together with other Norwegian NGOs, have sued the Norwegian State in order to ascertain the legality of the hunt. We think we have a very good chance of winning! The hunt is in violation of Norwegian hunting regulations and the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention), which requires States to safeguard all species which naturally occur in their national territory.

The case is due for court procedures in a few months, so we’ll keep you posted.

In addition, Sweden's Environment Minister, Lena Sommestad, has severely criticised the hunt, accusing Norway of dodging its responsibility for safeguarding the South Scandinavian wolf population. Norwegian authorities have excused the hunt by pointing out that there are approximately 100 wolves in Sweden and that the wolf populations of the two countries are known to mingle. There is, however, no common management plan for these populations. There is also a serious risk of genetic degradation in this population because of its small size. A genetically healthy population of this kind of carnivore should have at least 800 individuals.

WWF-Norway is now busy raising funds for the court case, which may be rather costly. If we win the case, the consequences for Norway’s management of its wildlife may be considerable, raising the threshold for hunting species that are too small to be harvested.

Many thanks for your support.

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