Germany debates wolf management and hunting regulations

Discussions regarding wolf management and hunting regulations are intensifying in Germany. In Bavaria, Economic and Hunting Minister Hubert Aiwanger met with local hunters, state foresters, and National Park administration officials in the Bavarian Forest to address the impact of wolves and lynx on red deer populations.

Aiwanger emphasized the need for a balance between healthy wildlife populations, forest protection, and responsible hunting, noting that the presence of wolves may require adjustments to traditional practices like winter fencing. He also highlighted the importance of cooperation with the Czech Republic in border regions.

Meanwhile, in parliamentary debates, Silke Backsen of the Alliance 90/The Greens expressed opposition to federal decisions allowing the hunting of wolves. She argued that such measures lack scientific backing and could potentially worsen livestock predation by disrupting pack structures. Backsen maintained that wolf hunting is not a substitute for effective herd protection and noted that wolves remain a protected species under EU law.