Norway’s Wolves 2018/2019 Winter Update

Updated January 04, 2019.

Despite the recommendation of the predators management board to exterminate all three wolf packs living within the so-called protective wolf zone, Ola Elvestuen, the Climate and Environment Minister, has decided that only the Slettås flock may be killed. As mentioned in this prior post, the board set a quota of 43 wolves to be slaughtered, 17 of which living the the zone (a tiny area supposedly set aside for the wolves to live in peace). Ola Elvestuen approved the removal of 26 wolves outside of the zone earlier this year. Now, with today’s decision to allow removing the Slettås wolf family (3 adults and up to possibly a total of 7 wolves), the number of wolves allowed to be killed this year this year is 29, but may be more if other members of the Slettås wolves are detected. This total, of course, does not include wolves that have been, or will be, killed illegally.

Ah, but no worries, this is just a critically endangered species of which just barely 100 individuals remain. The reason is quite simple you see, there are over 10 breeding pairs, far too many! The national goal allowed is just 4 to 6 breeding pairs, so kill, kill, kill they must. I suppose we should be thankful that the 2 other wolf packs living in the zone (Mangen, and Hobøl) have been spared, for now. Of course, already there are hunting teams prepared for the hunt (of the big, bad wolf that has caused no harm) in both Østfold and Hedmark.

“The Ministry believes that a dampening of conflict levels in the management of wolves is a major national interest.”

This will be the first time a license has been granted for the removal of wolves in the zone.

Please write to the Ministry of the Environment in Norway and tell them what you think of this decision:
postmottak@kld.dep.no

Please also write to the Parliament:
postmottak@stortinget.no

Photo by Denis Dumoulin

Wolf population in Norway prior to set quota:

During the 2017-18 winter season, 115-116 wolves were detected in Norway, compared to 105-112 the prior winter. From this total, 70-71 of the wolves were full-time residents of Norway, while 45 of them were on both sides of the national border against Sweden. Of the 70-71 whole-Norwegian wolves, 27 were killed by legal felling and one was found dead for another reason. Another 13 wolves have been registered as killed since April 1st.

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Published by intheshadowofthewolf