Environment Ministry Stands by Its Wolf Hunting Conditions

Bratislava, January 15 (TASR) - The Environment Ministry stands by its position that the permission to hunt wolves comes with strict conditions and isn't unlimited, according to a statement by the ministry's state secretary, Filip Kuffa, published on social media. "The decree specifies the locations where wolves can be hunted. It also excludes areas of European significance, including national parks from the quota hunting of wolves. Similar rules for wolf hunting were in force in Slovakia in the past. Moreover, there are more areas where wolf hunting is currently prohibited than before 2021," said Kuffa. He stated that several expert studies have confirmed that the wolf population in Slovakia is on the rise, with this predator causing significant damage to livestock. "That is why European institutions and many EU-Member States want to remove the wolf from the list of strictly protected species and thus allow for a meaningful management of its European populations. The ministry wants to do the same for the meaningful management of the bear," he added. Environmental organisations Aevis, We are the Forest, WWF Slovakia and Greenpeace Slovakia are asking the ministry to repeal the decree allowing the hunting of wolves and to maintain their year-round protection. They also demand that decisions on wolf protection be based on expert and scientific arguments, insisting on the strict fulfillment of both domestic and international nature conservation commitments. A new decree allowing wolf hunting in Slovakia came into effect on January 1, with hunting permitted until January 15 in the 2025 season, and a quota of 74 wolves set for this season by the Agriculture Ministry. lin/mcs