Wolf news from Switzerland and Finland

Last edited Sat Nov 9, 2019, 01:00 PM - Edit history (2)

Switzerland
Four wolf packs live in Switzerland

Wolves returning to Switzerland, documentary trailer "Return of the Wolves" by Thomas Horat

vimeo.com/348419984


The wolf polarizes and fascinates, and it brings disorder to our system. 150 years after the wolf was wiped out in Central Europe, it is inexorably regaining its place.

Are wolves dangerous for humans; is it possible to live together?

The wolf divides opinions and its return revives man's rejection. Starting from the return of the wolves to Switzerland, we set off on a search for clues to Austria, Lusatia, Poland, Bulgaria and Minnesota, where wild wolf packs are not uncommon.


https://www.kxan36news.com/documentary-return-of-the-wolves-to-educate-view
(Whoever wrote this article really needs an English interpreter).


Finland
20 wolf packs live in Finland

https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/finland/finland-news/domestic/16954-eu-ruling-on-wolf-hunting-a-setback-for-finland-views-leppae.html

European Union ruling on wolf hunting

"There is no scientific evidence that the legal hunting of a protected species reduces poaching to an extent that it would have an overall positive effect on the conservation status of wolves,” ruled the European Court of Justice.

It also stated that, in this particular case, the existence of an illegal activity such as poaching or difficulties associated with its monitoring cannot be cited as grounds for exempting a member state of its obligation to ensure the protection of a species under the habitats directive.

The Finnish Association for Nature Conservation has welcomed the preliminary ruling, viewing that it should lead to stricter conditions for derogation hunting permits. Leena Iivonen, the chairperson of the Association for Nature Conservation Tapiola, has similarly voiced her satisfaction with the ruling.



https://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/news/tuesdays_papers_wolf-related_hate_speech_ineffective_medicines_farmers_vs_first_lady/11051827

Employees of the Natural Resources Institute Finland have been sharply criticised for how the wolf population is managed.

Many papers carry reports of hate speech directed at employees of Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), particularly in relation to how the institute is managing Finland’s wolf population.

Turku daily Turun Sanomat writes that Luke staff have been accused of lying, deliberately misrepresenting research results, relocating wolves, and "other conspiracies". The institute has even been referred to as a terrorist organisation, according to the paper.

Sami Niemi, Advisory Officer at the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, tells TS that although hate speech directed against Luke employees is not a new phenomenon as such, it has been particularly accelerated by social media.


(Wolves have an uphill battle from hunters, ranchers, and DNR, in Washington to Switzerland to Finland, but they are here to stay.)