No Need to Cry Wolf? Positive Trend in Conservation Status Results in a Revised Lower Protection Level

The European Parliament has adopted a proposal regarding the change in the protection status of the wolf. According to the adopted proposal, the wolf is transferred from Appendix IV to Appendix V of the Habitats Directive.

In practice, the amendment of the Habitats Directive means that the wolf will no longer be considered a species under strict protection. Thus, for example, the breeding sites and resting places of wolves will no longer automatically be protected by virtue of the Habitats Directive.

The change is based on a preceding amendment to the Bern Convention, the background of which was the improved conservation status of the wolf and increasing socioeconomic challenges regarding coexistence with human activities. The wolf population has doubled in the EU during the past 10 years.

The amendment’s entry into force is still subject to adoption by the Council of the European Union. Furthermore, the amendment must be transposed into national legislation. Since the Habitats Directive allows member states to take more stringent protective measures, it will be up to the member states how much the amendment will, in reality, impact the protection of the wolf.

Currently, the protection of the breeding sites of wolves may even prevent some projects. However, the transposition of the forthcoming amendment to the Habitats Directive could potentially significantly ease the placement of large-scale industrial, infrastructure, and energy projects within the wolves' range.

If you have any questions about this Legal Alert, please feel free to contact the undersigned or your regular Borenius contact.