The European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that Austria’s permission for hunting wolves is illegal, following objections from animal welfare activists about killing the EU-protected species. Despite the rise in wolf attacks on livestock, the court emphasized that wolf hunting is only permitted for economic reasons if the wolf population is stable, which is not the case in Austria.
The Austrian government confirmed that the wolf population is not in a favorable conservation status. With around 80 wolves in the country, their slow return since the 19th century prompted regional authorities to request a reduction in protection status. However, the Tyrol government plans to continue wolf hunting based on their agricultural needs and the identification of ‘high-risk wolves’.
The ruling has broader implications for all EU member states, requiring individual assessments of protection measures on mountain pastures. This decision aligns with the Habitats Directive of 1992, designed to safeguard various habitats and species. The recent proposal to change the status of wolves from ‘strictly protected’ to ‘protected’ by the EU has sparked debate among animal welfare organizations.