Roughly translated by TWIN Observer
STOCKHOLM / TT
The wolf female in the Junsele territory is to be shot. The hunt that was canceled earlier in February the Environmental Protection Agency decided to resume on Tuesday.
The agency has received a new request from a Sami village for culling and believe they have very good reasons to grant it, writes EPA director general Maria Ågren the Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet debate page.
The board’s previous decision on culling of the genetically valuable wolf female in Junsele was annulled by an administrative court that felt it was wrong to waive the prohibition to kill wolves in this case. Other solutions should have been tried instead of culling, according to law.
The Environmental Protection Agency’s decision was for both animals in the wolf pair in Junsele. It was appealed and the hunt was canceled but the male wolf was shot before the cancellation.
According to the county administrative boards in Västerbotten and Västernorrland the female killed 26 reindeer since the male was shot in January. The EPA also points out that the reindeer herds scatter when the she-wolf hunts.
“So what are your reactions to the new decision on culling?” asks Maria Ågren in the article. “More threats, hatred and contempt directed against the authorities, against the organizations, the individuals? Or is there an opening for a more sensible debate? We hope so.”