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New Swedish court no to licensed wolf hunting

by AI | 23.Jan 2026 | Europe in brief AI

How many wolves should Sweden have? All planned licensed hunting of wolves has been stopped and now a ruling has been issued in one instance concerning one county. The EU Commission has previously directed criticism at the country for risking the species’ viability.

The wolf hunt is under legal review in Sweden. Photo: Bernd Thissen/dpa

Stockholm – In Sweden, the Administrative Court of Appeal in Sundsvall has rejected the licensed wolf hunt in Västmanland. The court establishes that there is no scientific support for allowing licensed wolf hunting at such low levels.

In June last year, the country’s government decided that the Swedish minimum level for wolves should be lowered from 300 to 170 animals, a decision that has been criticized by the EU Commission, which considers it unscientific and believes it risks the species’ long-term viability.

The decision on licensed hunting was made in November and according to it, 48 animals were to be shot in five counties. But among others, the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation appealed the county administrative boards’ decisions, and the hunt, which was to have started on January 2 this year, was stopped by the administrative court.

Rulings are expected for an additional four counties – Örebro, Dalarna, Västra Götaland and Södermanland.

(22 January)