Party wants hunters to shoot problem wolves across Jutland without permits

Danmarksdemokraterne wants to expand the zone where problem wolves can be shot to cover all of Jutland, DR reports. The party also wants anyone with a hunting licence to be allowed to shoot a wolf displaying problematic behaviour without first seeking permission.

The proposal follows three incidents in which a wolf approached children playing in private gardens in Nørre Nebel. All three incidents took place on 5 August within a short period, and authorities believe the same wolf was involved.

Kim Edberg Andersen, the party’s spokesperson on animal welfare, said the change would provide greater security as the number of wolves in Denmark increases.

“We all know that the more wolves there are in Denmark, the more often this will happen. There would therefore be a sense of security in being able to regulate problem wolves immediately,” he told DR News.

A new regulation zone has been established near Nørre Nebel, adjoining an existing zone near Oksbøl where problem wolves have previously been observed. The Danish Nature Agency is currently hunting the wolf in the zone, while private individuals can apply for permission to shoot it.

Danmarksdemokraterne wants to remove that requirement. Andersen said every hunter should receive a brochure explaining what constitutes problematic behaviour and then be allowed to shoot any wolf displaying it.

Wolves are protected under an EU directive, which places significant restrictions on how they can be regulated. Asked how expanding the regulation zone to all of Jutland would prevent hunters from shooting wolves that were not a problem, Andersen said the existing zones did not guarantee that the correct wolf would be targeted either.