Spain again allows wolf hunting north of the Duero

The Congress of Deputies has approved regulations that again allow wolf hunting north of the Duero River, reversing the strict protection that had been established in 2021. The decision has generated intense debate between the rural world, the scientific community and environmental organizations.

Those who support the measure argue that the wolf causes significant damage to livestock and that the species' population in some areas is stable or even growing. They defend a management model that includes targeted lethal controls to reduce conflict.

On the contrary, numerous conservation organizations recall that the wolf is a key species for ecosystem health and that attacks on livestock can be reduced with preventive measures: mastiffs, adequate fencing, changes in management and agile compensation when damage occurs.

Beyond the technical debate, the case of the Iberian wolf reflects the difficulty of reconciling conservation of large carnivores, animal welfare, rural economy and social perception. The decisions made now will mark the model of coexistence with wildlife in the coming decades.

At AtlasFauna we will continue analyzing how these changes affect the number of wolves, damage to livestock and the perception that society has of one of the great symbols of Iberian wildlife.