Wolves to lose vital protections under the Bern Convention

In a controversial move, the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention meeting this week in Strasbourg has adopted an EU proposal to lower the protection status of wolves.

Originally classified as “strictly protected” under Appendix II, wolves will now fall under the “protected” status of Appendix III. Born Free strongly condemns this decision, which has sparked widespread outrage among conservationists, wildlife advocates and the public. This shift opens the door to increased hunting and killing of one of Europe’s most iconic and vulnerable species.

What is the Bern Convention?

The Bern Convention, established in 1979 by the Council of Europe, is an international treaty dedicated to conserving European species and habitats, with some extension to African states. The Standing Committee, which meets annually and is made up of representatives from the Convention’s 50 Contracting Parties, governs its decisions. Born Free attended this meeting as an observer.

This is the first time in the history of the Bern Convention that a species has been downlisted, and it is a deeply concerning development for wildlife conservation.

The decision disregards decades of hard-fought progress in safeguarding one of Europe’s most emblematic and ecologically vital species. Moreover, it runs counter to the globally agreed Target 4 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, which aims to enhance coexistence with wild fauna.

Why are wolves so important?

Wolves play a critical role in maintaining biodiversity by regulating prey populations, promoting healthier ecosystems, and supporting other species. As these apex predators begin to return to parts of Europe after centuries of persecution, their protection is more crucial than ever.

By downgrading their protection status, the Standing Committee has increased their vulnerability to hunting, habitat destruction, and political pressures, putting their survival in jeopardy.

Why has the Bern Convention decided to downgrade the protection of wolves?

The decision was made under the pretext of mitigating livestock damage from wolf predation, yet this rationale lacks robust, science-based evidence.

Such politically driven decisions should not take precedence over scientifically backed conservation efforts. The Bern Convention should focus on maintaining and strengthening protections for wolves, ensuring they have the space and security they need to thrive and fulfil their essential ecological role.

The downlisting will take effect in three months, unless at least one third of the Parties to the Bern Convention (17 countries) object.

Despite this regressive change, it remains essential for Parties to the Bern Convention to continue implementing measures that ensure the conservation and recovery of wolf populations. Efforts to promote coexistence with wolves should be prioritised, including proven prevention measures like fencing and the use of guarding dogs.

Wolves were also considered in the context of two legal casefiles (a unique monitoring tool based on complaints for possible breaches of the Bern Convention) challenging the culling policies in Norway and Switzerland. The Standing Committee’s decision to open both cases for further scrutiny underscores the vulnerability of wolf populations across Europe.

Born Free urges Parties to the Bern Convention to continue to prioritise the conservation of vulnerable species and work to ensure the long-term survival of wolves in Europe, which it has been entrusted to protect.