Germany Adds Wolves to Hunting Law in Landmark Population Control Move

Union and SPD coalition agreement enacts immediate wolf regulation to protect livestock and align with EU proposals.

Germany's Union and SPD coalition has officially included wolves under the national hunting law as part of a new regulatory measure.
The decision aims to address significant livestock losses, with over 5,700 animals, including nearly 5,000 sheep, injured or killed by wolves in 2023.
The policy focuses on targeted population control through regulated hunting to safeguard herds, particularly sheep and goats, from further damage.
The reform aligns with EU Commission proposals for stricter wolf management, lowering the species' protection status from 'strictly protected' to 'protected.'
Key supporters, including agricultural and hunting groups, have praised the move as a long-overdue step toward effective herd protection and economic stability for farmers.