The hunt in most counties was stopped just days before it was due to begin on March 1 after an appeal to the Administrative Court of Appeal in Sundsvall by the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, among others. The appeals have now been rejected.
"This decision risks having serious and far-reaching consequences for the lynx population and for how we view the protection of endangered species in Sweden," said Beatrice Rindevall, chairwoman of the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, in a comment.
The association also announced that it is appealing to the Supreme Administrative Court.
153 lynx may be shot in licensed hunting. There are approximately 1,400 lynx in Sweden, and although the population has increased slightly, the species is still classified as vulnerable.
