An appeal to the Greek Government not to downgrade the protection status of the wolf and to intensify efforts to achieve coexistence between wolves and rural communities is addressed by 20 Greek environmental organizations, co-signing an international letter endorsed by a total of 213 organizations. The letter calls on the Member States of the European Union not to downgrade the protection status of the wolf and to ensure that measures are taken to promote coexistence. It is addressed to the Ministers of Environment of the EU and copied to the Ministers of Agriculture and the Nature Directors of the Union.
It is recalled that in December 2024, approximately one year ago, the protection status of the wolf under the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention) was downgraded following a proposal by the European Commission. This action has tarnished the image of the EU as a global leader in nature conservation.
This politically motivated and scientifically unfounded rollback of wolf protection has been widely criticized by scientists, conservation experts, and environmental organizations. Science is clear: although wolf populations have recovered in certain EU countries due to protection measures, as well as socio-economic developments and changes in land use, the species continues to have an unfavorable conservation status in six of the seven biogeographical regions of the EU (data from the reporting period of Article 17 of the Habitats Directive 2013–2018).
It is noted that the European Commission has confirmed that Member States may maintain a stricter protection status for the wolf, provided that this is declared at the time of notification of the transposition measures.
As emphasized in the joint letter co-signed by 20 Greek environmental organizations, the protection of large carnivores must evolve toward an innovative model that incorporates prevention, fair compensation schemes, stakeholder participation, and scientifically grounded governance, supported by public information and awareness-raising actions.
“Protecting the wolf in Europe is not only a matter of ecological importance, but also a reflection of our commitment to biodiversity conservation and to the values of coexistence and tolerance. Wolves are an integral part of Europe’s natural heritage, playing a vital role in maintaining ecosystem balance and biodiversity. The return of the wolf to parts of Europe where it had previously been eradicated represents a major conservation success that must not be put at risk,” the joint letter to the governments of the Member States stresses.
The joint European letter is co-signed from Greece by:
1. ΑΝΙΜΑ
2. ARCTUROS
3. ARCHELON The Sea Turtle Population Society of Greece
4. Action for Wildlife
5. Society for the Environment and Cultural Heritage
6. Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature
7. Hellenic Ornithological Society
8. Naturefriends Greece
9. Society for the Protection of Biodiversity of Thrace
10. Society for the Protection of Prespa
11. Callisto
12. Ecological Recycling Society
13. Hellenic Animal Welfare Federation
14. Greenpeace
15. i-Sea
16. MedINA, Mediterranean Institute for Nature and Anthropos
17. MEDASSET, Mediterranean Association to Save the Sea Turtles
18. MOm / The Hellenic Society for the Study and Protection of the Monk seal
19. reLife Earth
20. WWF Greece
You may read the joint European letter here and the Questions & Answers on the protection status of the wolf in the European Union.