Excitement in Thuringia: First illegal wolf shot shakes nature conservation!

Excitement in Thuringia: First illegal wolf shot shakes nature conservation!

At the end of 2023, an evil attracted wolf carcass was discovered on a street in the Wartburg district, Thuringia. At first another explanation for the death of the animal was suspected, but the examination of the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW) in Berlin came to a terrifying result: the wolf was shot. This statement caused horror, especially with nature conservation organizations.

The wolf, which comes from the pack of wild spots in Bavaria, not only was genetically identified, but computer tomography also showed that it was an illegal shooting. The lower nature conservation authority, the police and the public prosecutor's office have been informed accordingly, because killing a wolf is a serious crime in Germany, which can be punished with money or even imprisonment. Political advances of reducing the legal hurdles to hunt problematic wolves have so far carried no fruits. This reports Thuringia24.

reactions and demands

The Thuringian Ministry of Environment also confirms illegal shooting and draws attention to the worrying event. New Year's Eve Tamás from Nabu Thuringia expresses his horror about this incident and sincerely hopes that Thuringia will be spared further illegal kins. In 2022 and 2023 there were already two incidents in which Luchse were illegally killed. In order to better proceed against such environmental disputes, NABU demands the establishment of a special unit in Thuringia.

Despite the critical situation, the information rate for such crimes is alarming, almost zero. The Leibniz ICW is responsible for the investigations of wolf and lynight dead finds in Germany and indicates the terrifying figures: around 10 percent of the wolves found dead were illegally shot. In recent years, despite a strict protection status, many animals have died under puzzling circumstances, usually through traffic accidents. However, this cruel method of shooting stands out in particular, since it not only violates national but also against international regulations.

The wolf in Germany

Since returning to Germany about 25 years ago, more than 1,000 wolves have died, and traffic accidents have been the main cause of most deaths. A comprehensive investigation shows that the Leibniz ICW is autopsy almost all dead wolves, although only about 50 percent are brought to autopsy. The most common finds of the dead wolves are in the federal states of Saxony, Brandenburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Lower Saxony.

The population of the wolves has increased greatly over the past decades. More than 1339 wolves in Germany are currently detected, spread over almost all federal states. Due to this steadily growing number, it is essential to develop better management for pasture animals, be it through fences or other protective measures instead of promoting the illegal shooting of the wolves. NABU increasingly demands measures to promote the acceptance of wolves in the population to protect these valuable animals.

The case of the shot wolf throws a bright light on the existing challenges in nature conservation. If wolves are already treated so brutally, what about other animals? Politicians are required to take sharper measures and to set a clear course for protecting the wild animals.

The reports of Thuringia24, Nabu Thuringia and Geo illustrate the urgency of the situation and the need to consistently act against environmental crime.