213 organisations call on Member States not to lower the protection status of the wolf

In December 2024, about a year ago, the protection status of wolves under the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention) was lowered based on a proposal by the EU. This move has damaged the EU’s reputation as a global champion for conservation. Indeed, this politically motivated and unscientific U-turn on wolf protection was widely criticised by scientists, conservation experts and environmental organisations alike.

The science, however, is clear: while wolf populations have been recovering in some EU countries largely due to their strict protection, the species still has an unfavourable conservation status in six out of seven EU biogeographical regions (data from the HD Art. 17 reporting period 2013-2018). The Large Carnivore Initiative for Europe had raised serious concerns about the proposal to downlist the wolf under the Bern Convention as it “does not appear warranted” and as decisions on the conservation and management of wildlife should be “based on sound science, not (just) on political reasons”.

Despite this situation, the EU has amended its flagship Habitats Directive by moving the wolf from Annex IV (strictly protected) to Annex V (protected). EU Member States have until 15th January 2027 to transpose this targeted amendment into national law, but can also decide not to lower the protection status of the species on their territory. We would also like to draw your attention to two ongoing court cases regarding the decision on the wolf’s protection status, and emphasise that an informed decision could only be made based on their outcomes.

With this letter, the undersigned civil society organisations call on you and your government to not lower the protection status of the wolf in your national territory and to intensify efforts to achieve coexistence between wolves and rural communities.