NGO reaction to the European Commission’s communication on wolves in Europe

On behalf of the undersigned environmental and animal protection organisations, we are writing in response to the Commission’s press release on ‘Wolves in Europe’ dated 4th September 2023. We would like to express our deep concerns about the misleading information this communication spreads regarding wolves in Europe.

Misleading information regarding wolves

Regarding the dangers posed to humans and livestock, the messaging in the press communication is misleading, and it preempts the result of the public consultation. The claim that the concentration of wolf packs has become a danger for livestock and potentially for humans is not based on science.

In Europe, the wolf is not considered to be dangerous for humans. Scientific evidence has shown that wolves do not treat humans as prey, and fatal encounters are exceptional, in contrast to a number of real and significant threats to human life (such as extreme weather events or car accidents and pollution). Damage to livestock is often linked to the lack of adequate supervision and/or physical protection.