Two days after the Danish Nature Agency shot a so-called problem wolf in West Jutland, the government is facing criticism that the rules for culling such animals are too bureaucratic.
DR reports that critics point to the number of steps required before a problem wolf can legally be shot. A regulation zone must be designated, experts must assess whether the animal is a problem wolf, and Naturstyrelsen must involve hunters, sometimes assisted by drones with thermal equipment.
Kim Edberg Andersen, animal welfare spokesperson for Danmarksdemokraterne, told DR that the government should long ago have made all of Jutland a regulation zone. He said that would have removed the need to wait for the minister to designate a new area for this specific wolf. Steffen Troldtoft, spokesperson for the group Ulvefrit Danmark, agreed and said all hunters should be allowed to shoot wolves within 200 meters of housing.
Christian Rabjerg Madsen (S), Minister for Nature and Animal Welfare, rejected the proposal. He said it would play well on social media but make no difference for people who feel troubled by wolves. According to the minister, regulation zones cannot be created without a professional basis, and the zones around Oksbøl, Nørre Nebel and Houstrup were what made the cull possible.
Minister wants EU rules changed
Rabjerg Madsen said he will instead work to change current EU rules on wolf regulation, so wolves showing threatening behavior can be shot more easily. He also wants better data on how many wolves live in Denmark, with the aim of securing a so-called favorable conservation status in the EU. That status would allow ordinary hunting and regulation of the species.
The wolf was shot on the evening of Thursday, August 13, near Houstrup north of Oksbøl, inside the regulation zone. DR reported that the animal was shot at about 10 meters’ distance, and that experts at Aarhus University reviewed photos and video linking it to earlier incidents. Authorities say there is a high degree of certainty it was the same wolf, which had approached people in the Oksbøl zone.
Styrelsen for Grøn Arealomlægning og Vandmiljø lifted both regulation zones at Oksbøl and Nørre Nebel on August 14, stating that their purpose had been fulfilled. As reported by Avisen.dk, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen backed the shooting, saying citizens’ safety and sense of security come first.
The zone near Nørre Nebel was created after three incidents on August 5, when the wolf reportedly approached children playing in private gardens. Berlingske reported that Naturstyrelsen set up an SMS service for citizens to report wolves that had lost their natural shyness. It is the second time a problem wolf has been shot in Denmark since wolves returned to Danish nature, according to DR.
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