Letter on the European Commission's proposal to lower the protection status of the wolf

European wolf populations are recovering, thanks to strict protections, but wolf conservation status remains unfavourable in six out of seven EU biogeographical regions. The European Commission’s proposal to lower the protection status of the wolf is premature, politically motivated, and ignores science-based policies. In a joint letter to Ambassadors, NGOs urge the rejection of the European Commission’s upcoming proposal this May 2024. We must continue to support coexistence and ensure that existing legal protections for wolves, as enshrined in the EU Habitats Directive, are upheld and enforced consistently across the Member States.