EU judges make two decisions in favor of conserving the wolf, a threatened species in Europe.
The EU Court of Justice opposes a rule from Castilla y León that allowed wolf hunting north of the Duero River.
The Court maintains that a protected species cannot be hunted even if it is in good condition in a specific place if its overall conservation status is unfavorable.
These verdicts are a response to resources from ecologist groups and follow a trend of the Court ruling against wolf hunting.
According to the judges, killing a wolf should be a last exceptional option for population management or to prevent serious damage.
Judges lament the attempt by some administrations to reduce wolf protection, allegedly prioritizing the interests of farmers.
However, there are available measures to protect agricultural interests, citing a recent agreement to distribute 20 million euros for preventative measures.
Conclusion: The court's decision reinforces the protection of the wolf in Europe and highlights the importance of considering the overall conservation status of a species before allowing it to be hunted. Additionally, the verdict points out the existence of funds aimed at mitigating the alleged tensions between wildlife protection and agricultural interests.