Animal rights organization wants to challenge permit for shooting Utrecht wolf

Animal Rights is going to challenge a permit issued by the province of Utrecht for the capture, transmitter, and possible shooting of a solitary wolf with paintballs. Experts state that the animal exhibits unnatural and undesirable behavior, including seeking out dogs. The animal rights organization states that the law prohibits the intentional killing, capture, or disturbance of strictly protected species such as the wolf.

"We see nothing unnatural in the behavior of this wolf. The interest of a wolf in a dog as a competitor or partner is normal," says a spokesperson. "That is why Animal Rights will object to the permit with the province of Utrecht next week and ask a provisional judge to issue a measure that prohibits the use of the permit."

According to Animal Rights, there is no experience in the Netherlands with tranquilizing and transmitter-tagging wolves. An attempt to do so by wolf experts from the Mammal Society failed last year. The animal rights organization fears that the Mammal Society now wants to use trap cages or leg clamps to catch wolves. "They will cause an incredible amount of stress to the wolf, even before the tranquilizer is applied."

The organization also questions the motives of politicians who make decisions based on self-proclaimed wolf experts who provide advice. "In Utrecht, the driving force behind the wolf persecution seems to be CDA deputy Mirjam Sterk, supported by BBB state secretary Rummenie, from well-known wolf-hating political parties."

The province of Utrecht reported on Friday that it has issued a permit for the capture, sedation, and transmitter of a wolf that sought contact with dogs on July 31 and knocked over a young child in the forest of Austerlitz. DNA research shows that it is a single wolf seeking contact with dogs regularly for a few months.