Wolves no longer "strictly protected": Rules for killing the animal relaxed

The board of the Bern Convention approved the European Union's proposal to change the wolf’s status from “strictly protected” to “protected” on Tuesday. This means that the rules for killing the wolves are relaxed, Omroep Gelderland reports.

The current “strictly protected” status means that wolves may not be deliberately killed, captured, caged, or disturbed. Their breeding grounds may also not be damaged or destroyed.

The new “protected’ status means that the wolf population may be “regulated.” The species must be protected from extinction, but the rules for shooting wolves are relaxed.

The Bern Convention is an international treaty for nature conservation. Fifty countries, including 27 European Union countries, have ratified the treaty. At least a two-thirds majority was needed to approve the EU proposal for relaxing the wolf’s protection status.

The decision isn’t final. Members of the Bern Convention can still object. If at least 17 members file an objection within three months, the approval will lapse and the wolf will retain its strictly protected status.