"The government has opened up for extensive and illegal licensed hunting of a protected and highly endangered species. The decisions are contrary to both science and EU law, and if they are not withdrawn immediately, we risk irreversible damage to the wolf population," says Beatrice Rindevall, chairwoman of the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, in a press release.
Sweden's decision to lower the so-called reference value, the number of wolves needed for a favourable conservation status, from 300 to 170 animals, has previously received sharp criticism from the EU. The EU Commission believes that the decision is unscientific and risks the species' long-term viability.
The Swedish Society for Nature Conservation is appealing the hunting decisions in all affected counties. The appeal will be heard by the Administrative Court in Luleå.
The license hunt is scheduled to last from January 2nd to February 15th at the latest.
