Brussels, 6 June 2025
The International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC) welcomes the decision by the Council of the European Union to adopt the amendment of the Habitats Directive, officially changing the conservation status of the wolf from “strictly protected” to “protected”.
This landmark decision, finalised on 5 June 2025, aligns EU legislation with the Bern Convention and grants Member States increased flexibility to manage local wolf populations based on their specific socio-ecological contexts. The move follows growing calls across Europe for more pragmatic and locally adapted solutions to address human-wildlife conflict.
As an intergovernmental observer to the Bern Convention and a leading advocate for science-based conservation, the CIC has long supported adaptive management strategies rooted in stakeholder dialogue, community engagement, and ecological data. The Council’s approval now provides Member States with the tools to apply such approaches while maintaining the commitment to ensuring the wolf’s favourable conservation status.
“This is a major step forward in restoring balance between biodiversity objectives and the needs of rural communities. Wolves remain a protected species, and this decision allows governments to better tailor responses where populations have recovered and are creating genuine challenges,” – Sebastian Winkler, Director General of the CIC.
The CIC has actively contributed to European and international discussions on large carnivore management. Through its Applied Science Division, the CIC provides evidence-based input on wolf behaviour, habitat use, and coexistence strategies. The organisation continues to engage with the EU Large Carnivore Platform and supports transboundary initiatives such as the LECA Project and Dinaric-Balkan-Pindos Platform.
Wolf conservation remains a success story in Europe, with populations expanding significantly over the past decades. However, this success has led to increased interaction with livestock, forestry, and hunting interests. Today’s decision reflects the need to adapt conservation frameworks as situations evolve.
The amended Habitats Directive will be published shortly in the Official Journal of the European Union and enter into force twenty days thereafter. The CIC encourages Member States to implement management measures in consultation with local stakeholders, ensuring that conservation and land-use coexist in a balanced and sustainable manner.
Read the European Commission’s proposal here:
Media Contact:
Tristan Breijer MBA FRGS FRSA MCIJ
Director of Communications and Public Affairs
CIC – International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation
Email: tristan.breijer@cic-wildlife.org
Mobile: +44 781 408 7423
Website: www.cic-wildlife.org
