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Date Published: 21/03/2025

Controversial decision: Wolves can be hunted again north of the Duero River

New law approves wolf hunting in some regions as protection status is downgraded

Wolves will once again be hunted north of the Duero River following an alliance between the People's Party (PP), Vox and the Nationalist Party (PNV) in Spain's Congress. The decision reverses a 2021 government move to protect the species nationwide. The new measure is part of a broader initiative that could expand wolf hunting across the country in the future, a significant change that has sparked environmental concerns.

This controversial decision comes after Spain’s Ministry of Ecological Transition had previously placed wolves on the protected species list. However, in light of ongoing debates about livestock attacks, a new law approved by Congress has removed protection for wolf populations in areas like Castile and León, Asturias, Cantabria, the Basque Country, Navarra and La Rioja. Wolves in the rest of Spain remain protected - for now.

The legislation also includes a provision allowing for wolf hunting in certain circumstances, particularly in regions where livestock is regularly attacked. Environmental organisations like WWF and the Network for the Conservation of Nature (XCN) have condemned the decision, claiming that it is based on "scientific denialism" and does not effectively address the issue of livestock protection.

In recent weeks, the Spanish government and opposition have clashed over the issue, with farmers demanding more compensation for damage caused by wolves. As part of a broader effort to address these concerns, the Spanish government has promised to release €40 million for livestock protection and damage compensation. In addition, another €664,000 will go towards updating Spain’s wolf census to better track wolf populations across the country.

The latest development is part of a wider European context. In December 2024, the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention downgraded the wolf’s protection status from "strictly protected" to "protected," a decision that still needs to be reflected in EU law. The European Commission is currently working to revise its directive, which could allow individual member states greater control over managing their wolf populations.

In the face of this international shift, Spain's Congress has also approved an amendment that could see wolves south of the Duero River lose their protection status, allowing them to be hunted if it is deemed necessary for protecting livestock. The new amendment aligns with broader changes to European regulations, but environmental groups argue it threatens the species’ survival.

Images: Petr Ganaj and Anna Hinckel/Pexels

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