North German Minister Calls for Revised Wolf Management Amid Rising Concerns
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Schwerin, Germany – September 24, 2025 – North German Agricultural Minister Arne Dessein is advocating for a reassessment of wolf hunting regulations in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, acknowledging growing anxieties among farmers and residents regarding the increasing wolf population. Dessein’s statements follow assertions by Habitat minister Till Backhaus that official animal counts likely underestimate the actual number of wolves inhabiting the region.
The debate over wolf management has intensified as livestock predation attributed to wolves rises, fueling conflict between conservation efforts and the economic interests of agricultural communities. Currently, wolf hunts are permitted under specific conditions to manage the population and prevent further damage, but Dessein believes existing protocols may be insufficient to address the scale of the issue. A revised approach, he argues, is crucial to balance wildlife protection with the safety of livestock and the livelihoods of farmers. The coming weeks are expected to see detailed discussions between the ministries of agriculture and environment to formulate new guidelines.
Dessein has not specified what changes he envisions, but indicated a need for greater flexibility in hunting quotas and potentially expanded circumstances under which lethal control measures can be authorized. He emphasized the importance of data-driven decision-making, referencing Backhaus’s concerns about the accuracy of current population estimates.