Animals: State reinstates wolf hunting permit

The state of Lower Saxony has reinstated the exemption permit for the killing of a wolf near Cuxhaven following confirmation by the Stade Administrative Court. "Problematic wolves that repeatedly kill livestock can be removed quickly and in accordance with the rule of law. This is a positive signal from the Stade Administrative Court," said Environment Minister Christian Meyer (Green Party).

It's also good that the court has reaffirmed the principle of the rapid culling procedure, stating that it will most likely allow the damaging wolves to be removed to protect grazing livestock. The reason for the removal is to prevent serious economic damage – in this case, to grazing livestock farmers.

A general hunt for wolves, or even a quota hunt, was not confirmed, nor was it intended. "The wolf remains a protected species, and we are obligated to maintain the good conservation status achieved," Meyer added. The wolf will not be eradicated again, "therefore we must continue to provide unbureaucratic support to our livestock farmers."

It would be helpful if the federal government were to amend the Federal Nature Conservation Act and facilitate the legally secure removal of problematic wolves and packs for regionally differentiated population management by the states. The effort required to justify a single exemption remains very high.