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ARCHIVED - Wolf hunting banned throughout Spain this week
Four autonomous communities in the northwest of Spain plan to appeal the ban
In what non-profit organisations (NGOs) are describing as a “historic” decision, the Iberian wolf (Canis lupus) has been included in the List of Species in the Special Protection Regime and from Wednesday September 22, hunting them will be prohibited throughout Spain. The ban, ordered by the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge, was published in the Official State Gazette on Tuesday after scientific evidence was considered and the decision was put to a vote.
Traditionally, wolf hunting was permitted north of the Douro River in Spain but it was prohibited in the south, where the species was already considered vulnerable, and the autonomous communities of Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria and Castilla y Leon, where 95% of the wolf population is found, have confirmed that they will be appealing the decision.
However, environmental organisations such as Ecologists in Action have celebrated the ban, which has come after many years of demonstrations.
In addition to prohibiting hunting, the ministerial order requires that autonomous communities and the Ministry to approve a new strategy for the conservation of the wolf population in Spain before the end of the year.
One notable exception to the new law is that wolves may be captured if they pose a risk to livestock and all other measures for deterring them have been exhausted.
Under article 334 of the Penal Code, anyone found guilty of the unauthorised hunting of wolves could face a prison sentence of between six months and two years, a hefty fine, and a ban from hunting and fishing for up to four years.
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