The Government wants to reduce the Swedish minimum level for wolves from 300 to 170 animals. Therefore, the Environmental Protection Agency has been tasked with proposing how this can be done while maintaining a favorable conservation status for wolves, which Sweden must have according to the EU's species and habitat directive.
In its investigation, the Environmental Protection Agency notes that significant efforts are required to keep a reduced wolf population alive.
"Involves more work"
Among the measures are an extended monitoring of wolves and their genes, a more individualized management of individual wolves, and more relocated wolves within the country – to avoid damage to livestock or relocate genetically important animals.
This will be a more detailed management. It involves more work for the county administrative boards, so they can work in the field and collect information with the help of, for example, DNA samples. When the collection has increased, they will also have the opportunity to analyze genetics, says Mona HansErs, who is the head of the wildlife analysis unit at the Environmental Protection Agency.
High costs
The Scandinavian wolf is already heavily inbred.
That's why it's important to monitor and take measures if it changes in the wrong direction, says Mona HansErs.
The Environmental Protection Agency cannot present an exact price tag for the measures, but notes that they require significant resources. The smaller the Swedish wolf population becomes, the more it costs to keep it viable.
Overall, it will be a clear increase in costs for the county administrative boards, and also for the Environmental Protection Agency, says Mona HansErs.
