The Iberian wolf has entered the list of wild species to be protected. This is excellent news that will imply a ban on hunting wolves throughout Spain, a very widespread practice especially in the Spanish autonomous communities.
He is about to end up run over, his mother saves him
Historic turning point for the wolves of Spain, which since yesterday entered the list of wild species to be protected. This is a big step forward that it will bring the ban on wolf hunting throughout the national territory, a widespread practice especially in the Spanish autonomous communities north of the Duero River.
Finally, after years of mobilization by environmental and animal welfare associations, the process for obtaining the protection of the Iberian wolf and consequently an end to the hunting of this species has begun in Spain. The proposal was presented by the Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge. The agreement was approved with 9 votes in favor, 8 against and 3 abstentions.
The important milestone was greeted with great enthusiasm in particular by Ecologists in Action, the confederation of over 300 environmental groups who have been waiting for this moment for a long time.
As pointed out by the Spanish NGO, the wolf is a precious species in ecosystems and it is necessary to protect it in order not to impoverish Iberian biodiversity. Since the 70s, when the Iberian wolf was close to extinction, several organizations have asked for the protection of this species which is continually threatened by hunters.
Even WWF España, which has been carrying on the battle for months "I defend the wolf" expressed great satisfaction with the prohibition of wolf hunting:
"This is a historic decision because it will allow us to leave behind a model based on the persecution of the species, which favors the interests of certain sectors, which has clearly ignored the ecosystem and the socio-economic benefits that the wolf brings to society and which proved its ineffectiveness, as it was unable to reduce the social conflicts associated with livestock damage. For years the wolf has been the scapegoat for all the problems of extensive farming, although the problems of this important sector are found in the CAP itself, or in other structural aspects such as lack of recognition in market prices or high bureaucracy. "
We are still celebrating it? Obtaining the prohibition of hunting the Iberian wolf in Spain is a huge step to protect the species? After much effort, we have achieved it together! ?
Posted by WWF España on Friday, February 5, 2021
The opposition of the Spanish autonomous communities
However, the ban on wolf hunting has not been met with as much enthusiasm in some areas of Spain, where over 90% of wolf packs live. The autonomous communities of Castile and Leon, Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, Andalusia, Madrid, the Region of Murcia and the Basque Country voted against the measure. These communities, together with some agricultural and livestock organizations, are strongly committed to the decision and this could lead to many problems in the country, given that the decision taken at the moment is not binding.
Several animal welfare associations therefore fear that the hunting of wolves may continue in these areas of Spain. For this reason, the Ecologistas en Acción confederation has launched an appeal, urging communities north of the Duero "to stop killing wolves as of today, not to pursue their illegal hunting and to collaborate with breeders and breeders in promoting coexistence between wolves and wolves. livestock, helping them to avoid or reduce wolf attacks on livestock through the use of mastiff dogs, increased surveillance of livestock, nocturnal collection of livestock, coordination of calving and many other practices that many breeders successfully perform ”.
Fonte: El País/La Vanguardia/Ecologists in Action
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