Roughly translated by TWIN Observer
STOCKHOLM / TT If the wolf should have a chance to survive in Sweden it requires a stock of at least 100 individual wolves according to a vulnerability assessment for the species which a group of researchers did.
The researchers, who are active in the Scandinavian wolf research project Skandulv, have prepared the analysis on the behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency. The analysis is a complement to the newly established management plan for wolves.
It assumes that the wolves should be able to withstand occasional high levels of disruption with increased mortality.
“This can include the sharp increase in poaching or disease,” says Ruona Burman, game coordinator at the agency.
According to the researchers, a population of 100 individuals should be sufficient to survive a disaster. But Burman points out that this is not an answer to how many wolves Sweden should have. In reality, there should be more than 100 animals.
“According to EU guidelines you should be above the minimum level that the species is considered to have favorable conservation,” says Burman.
In addition, the analysis is based on a wolf population that does not have any genetic problems. It does not account for the severe inbreeding in the Swedish wolf population. To remedy this requires a constant influx of new, fresh blood from outside of Sweden.