Germans could allow hunting of wolves as numbers grow

Wolf-hunting could be legalised in Germany in an attempt to control numbers under a proposal to be discussed in parliament today.

MPS concerned that the rapidly growing wolf population is beginning to encroach on human settlement areas want strict protection laws to be lifted.

“The wolf population is larger than the government admits. An uncontrolled increase is a serious danger for livestock and for people,” said Karlheinz Busen of the opposition Free Democrat Party (FDP), which is behind the initiative. “There are just too many wolves, they need to be hunted.”

But the party’s proposals have come under fire from conservationists who say they will do little to promote coexistence between farmers and wolves. They have been opposed by hunters who say the animals pose no threat to the human population.

Just 20 years ago, there were no wolves left in Germany, after the species was hunted to extinction in the early 20th century. They returned after the fall of Communism, crossing the border from Poland after fences were removed, and more than 30 packs are now believed to roam the German countryside.

In 2015, a pack was photographed 30 miles from Hamburg, and wolves have been spotted wandering into villages and built-up areas in search of food.

Only licensed hunters would be allowed to shoot the wolves. The initiative is supported by farmers, but conservationists say hunting is the wrong response.

“The way to really help livestock owners is to extend fast and unbureaucratic support to protecting herds,” said Diana Pretzell, of the World Wide Fund for Nature.