Roughly translated by TWIN Observer
VÅLÅDALEN / TT
Nearly 300 scientists, government representatives, hunters and other nature enthusiasts gathered today at the 20th Symposium of the Wolf in Vålådalen. The controversy surrounding the wolf is greater today than in a long time, according to analysts.
The wolf and predator policy is the unifying theme with many focuses on human attitudes. Several of the invited experts have studied why the wolf evokes such feelings.
“I have followed the debate for 30 years and there has never been such strong opposition as there is today,” says organizer Mats Ericson.
At the turn of the millennium was the wolf population of about 50 animals. That it is now up to nearly 300 individuals naturally affects the debate.
“We should have in mind that the wolf is a predator that causes problems. It is for example one of the few predators that attacks dogs. We should also keep in mind that the wolf – with government help – was more or less extinct in the 1960s. Many who were active then see now that the wolf should be protected,” says Mats Ericson a zoologist and who has worked as a photographer and natural communicator.
He notes that over the past twelve years, three predator investigations have been made.
“Every time the politicians decide to investigate the matter again, many people want to get through their arguments – both hunters and wolf huggers. All sharpen their arguments. I personally think that when you are constantly shooting a difficult question before them by adding new reports create disagreements,” says Mats Ericson.
The big question is of course how big the wolf population in Sweden should be. Environment Minister Lena Ek want to reduce it to 180 wolves, which is accepted by the Hunters Association but angers environmental groups.