Potsdam discusses: shooting quota for wolves – a heated summit!

Potsdam discusses: shooting quota for wolves – a heated summit!

One of the most explosive topics at the current wolf summit in Brandenburg, which took place in Potsdam on September 11, 2025, was the discussion about a general shooting quota for wolves. How rbb24 reported, Environment Minister Hanka Mittelstädt (SPD) described the mood as constructive, while Dirk-Henner Wellershoff, president of the state hunting association, questioned the effectiveness of the summit and said it had not made any progress.

The majority of the experts present advocated allowing targeted hunting of wolves in certain “intervention areas” instead of a nationwide quota. This could be related to the wishes of farmers who are struggling with attacks by wolves on their grazing animals. Accordingly, many actors are demanding quick and low-bureaucratic solutions for “problem wolves”.

Firing methods and legal changes

A newly set up working group is to discuss firing methods, and the minister has assured that she will abide by their vote. The aim is to include wolves in state hunting law by the end of 2025 or beginning of 2026. Former Environment State Secretary Gregor Beyer even called for a shooting rate of between 15 and 35 percent, based on an estimated wolf population of up to 1,600 animals throughout Germany daily news points out. However, the State Environment Agency estimates the number in Brandenburg to be around 500 wolves, with new figures due to be published soon.

A lot is moving politically: Federal Agriculture Minister Alois Rainer (CSU) announced a vote on a change to the Federal Hunting Act, which could make it possible to relax the protection status of wolves in Germany so that they are no longer considered “strictly protected”. By then, the wolf may soon no longer be the endangered wild animal it was previously considered to be.

Protests and resistance

However, environmental and nature conservation associations, led by BUND, are clearly against increased hunting. Axel Kruschat, the state manager, reiterates that the wolf must continue to be considered a species worthy of protection. The BUND and other organizations warn of an abrupt change in political perception, which they see as politically motivated.

A passionate plea for the protection of wolves also comes from Jonas Scholz, chairman of the state sheep breeding association, who advocates long-term financing of protective measures for grazing animals. It remains to be seen how the various interests can be reconciled and whether the desired political measures will actually take effect.

In the broader discussion about the well-being of wolves in Germany, questions about the preservation of their habitats and sufficient food supplies are also of central importance. It is important to find a pragmatic way of dealing with the situation daily news.

In the background, there remains a pessimistic mood among companies in Brandenburg, which complain about high levels of controls and are concerned about the threat of job losses. The issue of wolf hunting is just an example of the challenging social and economic discussions currently taking place in the country.