Roughly translated by TWIN Observer
KARLSTAD / ÖREBRO / TT
Wolf hunters during the current license hunting are being closely watched. Some have been photographed by an organization that sees its task is to verify that the hunt rules are properly followed.
Gunnar Gløersen, carnivore manager at Swedish Association for Hunting and Hunt Counsel in Värmland, testifies how four people on Saturday photographed hunters and cars.
“It was the APU (Anti Poaching Unit) who went around and photographed hunters and photographed their car numbers. And their behavior in that way was rather unpleasant, but there ware no hard words in any way,” he says to TT.
Gathering evidence
The Anti Poaching Unit (APU) is an organization that is part of an international network in order to prevent illegal hunting and other crimes against animals. It was formed in 2007 by a group of police officers, security guards and hunters.
“Our members are on the spot and photograph so are they doing it because they may suspect violations and if so, we leave it to the police,” says Conny Andersson, Chairman of the APU.
He points out that it is not against licensed hunting as such, because it is legal and approved of by the authorities.
“But the hunt is conducted by private individuals and far from all in the know as to how legal hunting should be implemented. If there many mistakes and crimes are committed it is important to be present.”
TT: Have you taken pictures that show crime to be handed over to the police?
“It’s too early to say, there is a constant gathering of evidence,” says Conny Andersson.
Five wolves shot
On Sunday three wolves were shot in Värmland and two in Örebro, which means that 20 (13 and 7 respectively) of 36 wolves have been shot in the two counties.
The Dalarna County Administrative Board has also taken a decision to license the hunting of seven wolves. It begins January 24th.