Wolves Reclassified: Bern Convention Adopts EU Proposal for Downlisting
STRASBOURG, 3 December 2024 – The Standing Committee of the Bern Convention voted in favour of the EU proposal to downlist the wolf from “strictly protected” (Appendix II) to “protected” (Appendix III). This proposal was adopted by more than two/third majority of the parties, including the EU 27, Andorra, Armenia, Georgia, Iceland, Norway, Macédoine, Moldavia, Lichtenstein, Serbia, Switzerland, and Ukraine.
Wolves have been listed as strictly protected since 1992 – a status that was established based on scientific data available during the negotiations of the Convention in 1979. However, recent assessments indicate a remarkable recovery of the species, spurring calls for a re-evaluation of their status.
Back in 2022, Switzerland made a similar proposal, which was rejected by the Committee. In 2024, the successful adoption of the proposal to downlist the wolf put forward by the EU* reflects the broader consensus among policymakers and conservationists signalling a new phase in European wildlife management. While the species will still enjoy legal protections under Appendix III, the change allows for more flexible measures to address conflicts between wolves and human activities, including livestock farming.
The International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC), a key advocate for balanced wildlife management, welcomes the decision as a necessary step toward coexistence. For the CIC, this milestone underscores the importance of adapting conservation policies to reflect the evolving status of species and the coexistence between humans and wildlife. As wolves continue to thrive across Europe, this decision represents a critical balance between conservation success and practical management.
Now the Secretary General of the Council of Europe will forward the proposal to the Parties and will enter into force three months unless one-third of the Parties object. Subsequently, this will lead to further discussions at the EU level regarding the EU Habitats Directive and the possibility of modifying its annexes for the wolf in certain contexts.
*The decision was informed by two key reports highlighting the recovery of wolf populations:
- “Assessment of the Conservation Status of the Wolf in Europe”, was developed by the Large Carnivore Initiative for Europe for the Bern Convention in 2022.
- “Situation of the Wolf in the European Union – An In-depth Analysis”, was published in 2023 by the EU Commission’s Directorate-General for Environment (DG ENVI).
