Danish wolf association files EU complaint over private hunting permits

A Danish conservation group has filed a formal complaint with the European Commission over new rules allowing private landowners to shoot wolves, arguing the policy risks indiscriminate killings, DR reports.

The association Ulvetid (Wolf Time) submitted the complaint after authorities granted permits for private individuals to shoot wolves on their property in the Oksbøl area of western Denmark. The decision follows reports of wolves approaching humans and evidence suggesting the animals have been fed by people.

“They are allowing a large number of people who cannot assess what they are shooting at to go out and kill a wolf,” said Ole Pedersen, chair of Ulvetid. He warned that private hunters might target adult wolves rather than the young animals identified as the primary cause of recent incidents.

The Danish Nature Agency had already authorised state-employed “regulation hunters” to cull the so-called “problem wolf” in Oksbøl. Under the new rules, licensed private hunters can now also apply for permits to shoot wolves entering their land within a designated zone covering Oksbøl, Oksby, Oksbøl, and Vejers Strand.

While permits generally apply only to wolves coming within 30 metres of humans, exceptions may be granted near populated areas. The Nature Agency told DR the measures comply with EU habitat directives and are intended to supplement existing state-led culling efforts.

Ulvetid acknowledges the need to manage problem wolves but argues the current approach is flawed, risking the killing of non-offending animals and undermining conservation goals.