Swedish Court Halts 2026 Wolf Hunting License Amid Conservation Concerns

The Kammarrätten (Administrative Court of Appeal) in Sundsvall has upheld the decision by the Förvaltningsrätten (Administrative Court) to suspend the planned 2026 wolf hunting license in Västmanland, effectively stopping the cull of 48 wolves across five counties including Dalarna, Örebro, Södermanland, and Västra Götaland.

The case centers on the Swedish government's controversial decision last June to lower the wolf population threshold from 300 to 170 individuals, which was intended as a basis for the cull aimed at population control. However, the courts found that this reduction lacks sufficient scientific support and conflicts with the species' favorable conservation status under EU law.

The Kammarrätten emphasized that while 170 wolves may be considered a minimum viable population, it does not represent a healthy, sustainable population level necessary for long-term species preservation. The court referenced previous rulings by the Supreme Administrative Court, which set a minimum wolf population threshold at 300 individuals to ensure sustainability.

The suspension of the hunting license represents a significant victory for environmental groups such as Naturskyddsföreningen, Jaktkritikerna, and Nordulv, who appealed against the hunting plans, arguing the cull threatened the long-term viability of the wolf population. The EU Commission has also criticized Sweden’s decision to lower the minimum population level, calling it unscientific and a risk to the species' survival.

The planned hunting season was set to begin on January 2, but legal challenges have stalled the process. Similar court rulings are pending for other affected counties, signaling ongoing legal scrutiny of Sweden's wolf management policies.

This development underscores the intense tension between governmental wildlife management efforts and environmental conservation priorities, with the courts siding with scientific assessments and broader biodiversity obligations under EU regulations.