The gray wolf is still an endangered species in Sweden but Swedish officials have planned a countrywide wolf hunt for February 1, 2014. Being targeted are gray wolves with a level of 350 to 400 today in Sweden. Environment Minister Lena Ek claims that the hunt is designed to decrease the wolf population to a more manageable number of 170 wolves. This time several entire territories will be removed and altogether 30 wolves will be culled out of a still small and genetically vulnerable population. Environmentalists say that reducing the wolf population in Sweden to 170 is not enough to ensure their survival. "There is no scientific basis for these figures... It's a purely political decision," says Mikael Karlsson of the Swedish Society for Natural Conservation (SNCC).
Under the 1979 Berne Convention (which most European countries including Sweden have signed), hunting wolves is prohibited. Should Sweden proceed with the scheduled licensed wolf hunt, the European Commission could threaten it with legal action as it did in 2011.
Most importantly of all, the lives of 30 endangered animals should not be sacrificed to pacify the votes of those who are pro-hunting. This wolf hunt isn’t about protecting wildlife but rather ensuring positions in political offices (Election 2014). What this hunt really comes down to is a political move designed to please pro-hunting voters. Sign this petition to stop this hunt – the existence of these gray wolves should not be gambled away for potential votes.
