Today, the Administrative Court in Luleå announced that all licensed wolf hunts in 2026 have been cancelled. The Swedish Predator Association, together with the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, Jaktkritikerna and Nordulv, among others, has appealed against all county administrative boards’ decisions. The Administrative Court states that since the report that 170 wolves would constitute a viable wolf population is not scientifically substantiated, the 2026 wolf hunt, which is a step towards this low level, cannot be carried out without risking the survival of wolves in Sweden.
‘This is a big day and a big victory for the association, and for all our sister organisations that have also appealed,’ says the association’s very happy and relieved chairperson Therese Hansson.
Björn Israelsson, lawyer for the Swedish Predator Association, who received the ruling today, is naturally also very pleased.
“Finally, a victory for everyone who cares about large predators and a rich natural environment, as the Administrative Court overturns the county administrative boards’ decision on licensed hunting. This success is thanks to our tireless work to achieve viable predator populations in general and a viable wolf population in particular. It is also gratifying that this time we had the support of the European Commission. So, friends, in the darkness of winter, a light of hope is shining for 48 wolves. The ruling can certainly be appealed to the Court of Appeal, but the likelihood of it being changed is not particularly high.
Questioned reference value basis for suspending the hunt
In its ruling, the Administrative Court states, among other things, that “the County Administrative Board based its decision on licensed hunting on the new reference value of 170, which the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, in accordance with a government decision, reported to the EU regarding the population size for favourable conservation status for the Swedish wolf population. Since both the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency and the European Commission have questioned the currently reported reference value of 170 and, among other things, pointed out that the reference value does not appear to be entirely scientifically based and stated that the value must be greater than the minimum viable population, which is 170. The Administrative Court therefore considers that it is unclear what significance the reduced reference value on which the County Administrative Board based its decision can be given in relation to the provisions of the Habitats Directive on favourable conservation status.
” Since the County Administrative Board has not fulfilled its burden of proof regarding this fundamental condition for licensed hunting, there is no reason to examine the remaining conditions. The appeals shall therefore be upheld and the County Administrative Board’s decision shall be overturned. “
Footnote: The licensed hunting decisions covered 48 wolves in Västra Götaland, Örebro, Dalarna and Södermanland. The decisions were appealed by the Swedish Predator Association, the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, Hunting Critics, NOAH – for animal rights and Nordulv.
Susann Engqvist, Photo Hans Ring (wild wolfs in Sweden)