Debate over Wolf Hunting Intensifies in Brandenburg

The ongoing debate surrounding wolf conservation and hunting in Brandenburg has reached a critical juncture, as farmers, hunters, and landowners advocate for the culling of wolves. In contrast, conservation organizations are voicing strong opposition to these demands, claiming that the regional agricultural minister, Hanka Mittelstädt, is advancing policies without proper public discourse.

In an organized event in Potsdam, the Forum Natur Brandenburg--a coalition of various environmental groups--has called for a discussion that includes the agricultural and forestry minister. The proposal aims to facilitate easier measures for wolf hunting, primarily to protect livestock.

Henrik Wendorff, president of the Farmers' Association, highlighted a growing discontent among the agricultural community regarding wolf protection. He noted that increasing interactions between wolves and domestic animals, as well as distressing incidents involving livestock losses, are contributing to a diminishing acceptance of wolf conservation efforts.

Brandenburg is now home to a significant population of wolves, which proponents of hunting claim has reached a sustainable level. The state's agricultural minister has indicated plans to introduce regulations later this year to manage the wolf population, following an announcement made in March.

In a related initiative, the Forum Natur is pushing for hunters to take over the monitoring of wolf populations, a responsibility currently managed by the State Office for the Environment. Brandenburg has been recognized as the leading region for wolf populations in Germany.

Critics, including the Alliance Wolf in Brandenburg, have accused Minister Mittelstädt of prioritizing the interests of specific lobby groups, undermining the broader conservation goals. The Naturschutzbund Deutschland (NABU) has called for immediate discussions with the minister, expressing concern over the proposed timeline for meetings, which is set for mid-July, describing it as overly delayed.

On April 30th, the NABU officially recognizes the Day of the Wolf in Germany, emphasizing the need for better protection measures for livestock rather than resorting to hunting as a solution. Björn Ellner, the state chairman of NABU, warned that integrating wolves into hunting laws and allowing arbitrary culling would not address the underlying issues of livestock predation.

Looking ahead, the incoming federal government appears to be leaning toward a tougher stance on wolf management. The coalition agreement between the Union and the SPD includes provisions to amend hunting laws to include wolves, aiming to lower their protection status from strictly protected to merely protected.