Norwegian animal rights activists take Norway's wolf issue to Strasbourg

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NOAH - For Animal Rights has this week sent a complaint to the secretariat of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats - also called the Bern convention, regarding Norway's management of wolves. The purpose is to defend the animals' right to live within Norwegian borders.

The consequence of the current management is that the wolves in Norway are unable to get out of the critical situation in which they now are. The policy is clearly not made to protect but to minimize the number of individuals of a critically threatened species.

Only in the last few weeks have we seen new
examples of wolves being shot for having trespassed the designated management areas for wolves, says Siri Martinsen, the leader of NOAH - For Animal Rights.

In its complaint, NOAH refers to the fact that Norwegian authorities gave permission to kill 11 wolves by licensed hunters during the winter of 2012/2013 and also points out that the goal for the authorities regarding the wolf population is only three litters a year. NOAH also points out that the area of the Norwegian territory where wolves are allowed to settle, is extremely small.

The wolf is assessed as being critically endangered in The Norwegian Red List for Species 2010. Only approximately 45 wolves have been living permanently in Norway this winter.

Siri Martinsen says that Norway disclaims its responsibility to protect an endangered species which spreads naturally within the country's borders: - We hold that this is a disgraceful breach of international conventions. No efforts have been made for a special protection the wolf - the result of the Norwegian policy is rather on the contrary.

The countries which have signed the Bern Convention must take action to promote national policies for the conservation of wild flora and fauna, and their natural habitats. The wolf is listed in Annex II of the Bern Convention. When animal species have been listed in Annex II of the convention, efforts shall be made to ensure special protection for those species.

NOAH is one of the 25 organizations signing a letter to the Norwegian, Swedish and Finish governments concerning protection of endangered predators in November 2012.

Contact:
Siri Martinsen
Leader NOAH - For Animal Rights
tel. no. +47  959 44 499