I am deeply moved by the plight of wolves in the European Union and their role in maintaining the balance of our planet's ecosystem. Wolves, often misunderstood and incorrectly labeled as detrimental predators, are in reality an integral part of our ecological web, playing crucial roles in maintaining biodiversity and even aiding in climate change mitigation.

The culling of wolves threatens not just the wolf population, but the entire ecosystem they help to balance. Wolves keep herbivore populations in check, which in turn protects our forests and vegetation. A study conducted at Oregon State University found a positive connection between wolves and the health of North American forests, an effect that can be mirrored in European environments as well. Wolves also stimulate river biodiversity by controlling herbivore populations that would otherwise deteriorate river banks through overgrazing [source: Oregon State University study, 2011].

Yet remarkably, the laws protecting these wolves in the EU have been relaxed, leading to their widespread culling in many countries. This disregard for such an important  species is not only an attack on biodiversity, it's a direct affront to our plans to preserve our planet.

Coexistence is the solution
President von der Leyen’s claim that “wolf packs in some European regions have become a real danger for livestock and potentially also for humans” is false. We estimate the presence of 19,000 wolves in the EU, which is insignificant compared to the 86 million sheeps reared. Between 2012 and 2016, the annual number of sheep compensated because of wolf depredation corresponded to 0.05% of the over-wintering sheep stock. 

More than 80 projects funded through the European Commission LIFE programme since 1992 have demonstrated the efficiency of coexistence measures such as livestock guarding dogs and fencing. These measures have proven more effective than culling large carnivores to protect livestock. Farmers across the EU should be appropriately supported to install and maintain such protection systems. In addition, risks of attacks in the EU are minor and wolves usually move away when encountering humans.

The future of our ecosystem depends on the balance between its constituents. Wolves are an important link in this balance. Thus, I urge our lawmakers to halt the culling and reinstate laws to protect Europe's wolves. This fight isn't just about protecting a single species, it's about the future – our future. Please, join this petition and stand up for the wolves, for wildlife, and for our planet. Sign this petition today.