Police issue removal orders for wolves in Southeast Finland as sightings increase

This year, the police in Southeast Finland have issued four removal orders for wolves that have approached residential areas. These decisions involve wolves that repeatedly return to private properties. Wildlife officials have attempted to scare these animals away from populated areas using lights and loud noises. Each reported wolf sighting is assessed for risk, determining where the wolf was seen and its behavior in that situation.

Last August, a dangerous lone wolf in Lappeenranta was shot under special permit. Recently, a hunting dog was killed in Miehikkälä after being attacked by a wolf. Observations of wolves in the area are currently concentrated around Miehikkälä and Luumäki, bordering the regions of Kymenlaakso and South Karelia.

According to Harri Horttanainen, the wildlife commissioner, wolves tend to move in search of food, suggesting the presence of a pack in the region. Although statistics on removal orders are not kept, Horttanainen noted an increased number of wolf sightings at this border compared to other areas.

This year, three incidents in Southeast Finland have suggested damages caused by wolves to domestic or farm animals. However, a wolf attacking a dog does not warrant the termination of the protected animal, as this behavior is natural; wolves do not differentiate between pets and other prey. The police’s role remains to protect human safety in immediate situations, while also safeguarding legally protected species, such as wolves.

Permits for wolf hunting are granted by the Finnish Wildlife Agency on a case-by-case basis. Wolves are a protected species and killing them without permission constitutes a serious hunting violation. There have been 61 reported wolf sightings registered by the Southeast Finland police over the past year, and the wolves observed in Luumäki and Miehikkälä have not exhibited aggressive behavior towards humans.