Since the wolf returned to Denmark in 2012, there has been an ongoing debate about its danger and whether there is room for wolves in Denmark. The waves have been high and the fronts between supporters and opponents of the wolf have been heated at times. Now the debate has flared up again after wolves have been spotted in the middle of the town of Oksbøl in southwest Jutland – not just once, but several times. And then, of course, the question arises: Can you shoot wolves?
The wolf is totally protected – but with exceptions
In principle, the wolf is totally protected, not only in this country, but throughout the EU. Only under special circumstances are the authorities allowed to regulate the wolf population or cull so-called “problem wolves”. The big question is when these special circumstances are present.
Is the wolf pressure in Denmark great enough?
Some suggest that when wolves move into cities, it must be because the population has become so large that they have no other option. The territories outside the cities are occupied and therefore some wolves move closer to humans than they normally would. However, there is no indication that we have reached that point yet. With a maximum of 80 wolves spread across most of Jutland, half of which are pups from last year, the territories are hardly full. With around 30 kilometers to the nearest wolf pair – both to the east and north – and in good wolf terrain, the wolf pair in Oksbøl is hardly under pressure to move into the town.
Read more at Kristeligt Dagblad
