Large carnivores, including wolves, should remain strictly protected within the EU and have the right to co-exist with humans, say an overwhelming majority of rural residents in a survey conducted in ten of the EU’s member states, including Sweden. Rural residents also do not feel well represented by special-interest organizations for hunting and farming.
The survey, carried out by the well-known British research company Savanta, was published on November 30, 2023. It shows that a majority of rural residents in the EU are in favor of protecting wolves and the other large predators. 68% believe they should be Strictly protected and over two-thirds (72%) agree they have a right to co-exist with us.
The hunting lobby not supported by rural residents
The hunting lobby within the EU, where Sweden is well represented, has for some time now consistently pushed for downgrading the wolf’s protection status as a Strictly protected species within the EU. It is interesting to note that a very low percentage of the rural residents surveyed, stated that they feel well represented by special interest groups for hunting (12%) and agriculture (18%). Less than half (46%) of hunters feel well represented by hunting interest groups.
“The return of wolves in Europe is a reason to celebrate, not to fear,” says Reineke Hameleers, CEO, Eurogroup for Animals, in a press comment and continues: ”Despite the picture painted by some, the results of this survey clearly show that a majority of those living in close proximity to wolves support their protected status and are willing to co-exist. Facts, and the importance of conservation and biodiversity should drive the decisions of the European Commission, and not the interests of a few.”
The surveys result in Sweden
Looking more closely at the results for Sweden, only 18% of the respondents believe that their views and interests are well represented by interest groups for agriculture, and only 16% feel well represented by interest groups for hunting. 76% of Swedish rural residents believe that endangered species should be preserved. 67% of rural residents are in favor of strict protection of wolves and other large predators.
In addition, 76% believe that the conservation of biodiversity and species should be very important or important priorities for the EU. Only 9% of Swedish rural residents disagree with the statement that large carnivores are an important part of the EU’s natural landscape, and only 6% oppose that large carnivores remain Strictly protected in the EU, to ensure their survival over time.
Living side by side
Making the lives of humans and wild animals work in co-existence, living side by side, is no easy task. However, this survey clearly shows that the European – and Swedish – rural residents advocate understanding, conservation and a shared responsibility. EU countries are an interconnected ecosystem where decision-makers should listen to the collective voice of rural communities demanding the protection and conservation of large carnivores in the EU, and also work together for this.
This survey included 10,000 randomly selected people aged 18 to 65, living in rural areas in Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Spain, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, Poland and Romania. The survey was carried out by one of Britain’s best-known survey companies, Savanta, on behalf of, among others, Eurogroup for Animals, Humane Society International/Europe, Fondation Brigitte Bardot, Djurskyddet Sweden, World Animal Protection in Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden.
Source: Susann Engqvist/SRF translated by Sweden’s Big Five.
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