Protective hunt launched for wolf after livestock attacks in Skåne, Sweden

The Swedish County Administrative Board of Skåne (Länsstyrelsen) has authorized a protective hunt for a male wolf that attacked a shetland pony on Österlen on 22 June. The same wolf is believed to have killed a buck on the Ystad‑Simrishamn border on 8 June, with DNA confirming it originated from the Hälleskogsbrännan 1 pack in Västmanland. The pony suffered severe injuries and was euthanised. Authorities assess a high risk of further attacks on domestic animals in the open‑land area where the wolf roams, and have therefore allowed round‑the‑clock hunting within a defined zone (bounded by road 11 to the north and road 19 to the west) until 8 July. The Länsstyrelsen will appoint a hunt leader who will select participants and may halt the hunt if the wolf is shot.

The decision follows the board’s mandate to prevent serious damage to livestock and safeguard local farmers, reflecting ongoing tensions between wildlife conservation groups and hunting organisations in the region.