Local engagement sought in wolf population management

In its meeting, the steering group in charge of the Management Plan for the Wolf Population discussed multi-species population management, the question of acceptance of wolves in society and the importance of taking into account regional and local perspectives when updating the management plan.

The next step in the project to update the Management Plan for the Wolf Population is to establish concrete measures and targets, said the government in a press release.

When it comes to promoting tolerance and social acceptance of wolves, the steering group in charge of the Management Plan for the Wolf Population stressed the importance of local and regional-level projects that focus on communication, increasing awareness about wolves, and prevention of damage caused by wolves.

The work of the wolf territory cooperation groups was considered very important and was mentioned as a good example of engagement at the local level.

The steering group also emphasised the important role played by communication and dialogue in resolving wolf-related conflicts and increasing trust between concerned parties.

In its meeting held on 6 March, the steering group in charge of the Management Plan for the Wolf Population also discussed illegal hunting of wolves and special questions related to reindeer herding areas. Multi-species management of large carnivore and cervid populations was highlighted as an important matter in need of further development.

Multi-species population management takes into account the interdependencies and relationships between large carnivore and cervid populations as they relate to the conditions of the ecosystem in question. The approach also takes into account economic impacts, such as damage caused by cervids, as well as regional differences between ecosystems and landscape structures.

Permanent Secretary Jaana Husu-Kallio from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, who chairs the steering group, highlighted the importance of taking a holistic approach to large carnivore and cervid population management.

“Different game species, such as large carnivores and cervids, must be examined at the same time and in a way that takes into account their economic and social impacts. In order to be able to do this, we need research that can be used as the basis for multi-species population management,” Husu-Kallio emphasised.

Through multi-species population management, it is possible to develop cervid population management in a way that pays better attention to the special characteristics of the area in question.

The Project to update the Management Plan for the Wolf Population has now progressed to the second phase of its working plan. In addition to the opening seminar, the project has so far included eight meetings in which the preparation group has discussed jointly agreed themes and conflict areas, such as attacks by wolves on domestic animals. Now the project is moving from more general assessments toward establishing concrete targets and measures. The top priority is strengthening trust in the management, regulation and monitoring of the wolf population through broad-based cooperation.

This April, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the regional game councils will hold seven regional stakeholder meetings in different parts of Finland as part of the project to update the Management Plan. In addition to the regional game councils, representatives from local interest groups and media outlets have been invited to the meetings. The goal of the meetings is to gain regional and local perspectives and ideas on measures to be added to the updated Management Plan.

“The stakeholder meetings are important arenas for discussions on the wolf population and for coming up with solutions,” said steering group chair Jaana Husu-Kallio.

In its next meeting, the steering group will have a more detailed discussion on communication related to wolves.