Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Polaris of Enlightenment

“Sweden – trading biodiversity for trophies”

Biodiversity

It is becoming a sore pill to swallow for most Swedish citizens, seeing how the country with one hand portrays itself as a nature-preserving country and with the other hand literally sells out the country’s biodiversity, writes wildlife expert Misha Istratov.

Published 28 April 2025
4 minute read
This is an opinion piece. The author is responsible for the views expressed in the article.

While most Swedes were recovering after their New Year’s celebration, a few hundred were instead preparing for an adventure. On dark parking lots around five wolf territories, masked men in snow-white camouflage were adjusting silencers on their rifles and baiting their specially bred hunting dogs for a pursuit of a lifetime. The second day of the year bore promises of skins and furs from an endangered species, namely the Swedish wolf. Around 4,000 hunters had submitted interest in being chosen for killing one of the 30 wolves, out of which almost 400 were foreign trophy hunters. In the end, 25 wolves were killed, while the remaining five were not present in their territory. The only feasible explanation is illegal hunting, meaning that they had already been shot, but without permission.

The barrels had barely gotten cold before it was time for another next fauna execution. In February, practice is yearly allowed on the iconic lynx, where loose dogs are set loose in order to train the pursuers to find the mysterious cat. The practice is called “treeing” since the lynx has developed a defence against larger carnivores where it most aptly finds refuge in a tree. Unfortunately, this protection does not help against humans, whose rifles easily end the felines lives, after which they fall from the tree. The real hunt started on the first of March, and during the last two years, over 350 lynxes (roughly 13 percent yearly of the endangered population) have been shot to death, with over ten thousand hunters filing for the exclusive right to kill a lynx.

This “right” is delegated by the Swedish Environment Protection Agency to the counties to issue, and it is called “licensed hunting” or simply, culling. Most experts on European law agree that these practices violate the EU’s Habitats Directive since both the lynx and the wolf (as well as the bear and the wolverine, who are both also hunted yearly) are protected animals. Sweden has been under supervision by the EU for an infringement case in 2010 concerning the wolf hunt and this year a new submission will be opened because of the lynx culling.

Swedes are generally eager in shaming trophy hunters that go abroad to kill rhinos and other endangered animals and return with interior design items fashioned from the remains of their kills. Nor does the Swedish public brace itself in antipathy for killers of large African cats such as Cecil the lion. But when it comes to the rare cats in their own forests, such as the endangered lynx, the trophy hunt is met with surprisingly dispassionate reactions from the general public.

Just like African trophy hunters create myths like the ones that trophy hunting helps preserve species, boosts local economies, and is directed towards older individuals (all of which are scientifically inaccurate according to a large number of studies), Nordic trophy hunters have created their own fallacies to pawn in order to sway less knowledgeable politicians and civilians. Here, a myth has been fabricated that licensed hunting reduces illegal hunting, after a paper’s result was distorted by the hunting interest.

Several international studies, as well as a Swedish study, point in the direct opposite, and this is hardly surprising—if the authorities themselves allow the killing of wolves, how wrong can it be if private citizens take matters into their own hands? Since only three people have been convicted for illegal wolf killing in over ten years in Sweden, while hundreds of wolves have gone “missing”, the reward seems to outweigh the risk for certain individuals.

The propagators of these cullings, namely the two large hunting organisations, are receiving millions of governmental funds yearly. Meanwhile, nature protection organisations survive on scraps, and their funding is being cut by half this year. All this despite the fact that we are in the middle of a species crisis where 73 percent of global wildlife populations have disappeared in the last 50 years, according to WWF’s Living Planet Report.

In Sweden, red-listed species among mammals and birds have increased 50 percent in only twenty years. While the four large carnivores are on the Swedish red list, as well as 131 other species, one would expect the government to issue resolute action.

Instead, the authorities do all they can to enable the trophy hunt. It reaches such extents that they do not only allow the shooters to keep the furs of the killed red-listed animals, but the Swedish Veterinary Agency offers all the shooters the service of boiling and preparing the skull to keep as a keepsake for a symbolic cost.

Meanwhile, it is becoming a sore pill to swallow for most Swedish citizens, seeing how the country with one hand portrays itself as a nature-preserving country and with the other hand literally sells out the country’s biodiversity, encouraging trophy hunting of endangered animals.

 

Misha Istratov, entrepreneur, wildlife ambassador and writer

About the commentator

Misha Istratov is the CEO of Elithus and an independent commentator on sustainability in general, specializing in wildlife management.

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The forest lives when trees die

Biodiversity

Published 4 July 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Leaving a variety of dead trees in forests is vital for many species' survival.
2 minute read

When old trees die, life begins for many other species, according to a new dissertation. Numerous threatened species need dead wood to survive, along with a varied landscape.

Dead wood, meaning dead trees and branches in nature, is vital for about a quarter of Sweden’s beetle species. Many fungal species also depend on dead wood for survival.

Together with microorganisms and fungi, beetles contribute to the decomposition of tree remains, which provides nutrients to the soil and creates habitats for other insects that, in turn, become food for birds and other animals.

However, many of these fungal and beetle species are threatened today, partly because dead wood has become scarce – especially in managed forests. Paulina Bergmark from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) has examined in her dissertation whether these species are better preserved in landscapes where nature conservation is combined with forestry, often called eco-parks. The state-owned Swedish forestry company Sveaskog established the first eco-parks about 20 years ago, with the aim of supporting species negatively affected by traditional forestry. Today, there are 37 such forests in total.

In five of these eco-parks, Bergmark studied beetle and fungal species living in high-cut stumps. She then compared the results with four areas in regular production forests.

More red-listed species

The eco-parks contained more diverse tree species and good access to dead wood. The production forests had many beetles, but not to the same extent as the eco-parks.

– Generally, we found both more species and a larger number of red-listed species in the eco-parks compared to the production forests, she says in a press release.

The dissertation also highlighted the importance of tree diversity in forests. Different types of dead trees benefit different species, according to Bergmark.

– In the eco-parks’ varied landscapes, there is a larger proportion of forest where both old and young trees contribute to the creation of new dead wood over time. Increasing variation with both deciduous and coniferous trees in different stages of decomposition can be an effective way to strengthen biodiversity in managed forests, she says.

Moose and polecat added as threatened species on Sweden’s red list

Biodiversity

Published 4 July 2025
– By Editorial Staff
The moose population has increased significantly in northern Sweden - but across the country as a whole, there is a clear decline.
2 minute read

The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) has published a new preliminary version of the red list, where the moose and European polecat are now proposed to be classified as threatened species. Meanwhile, the Eurasian otter is considered to have recovered sufficiently to be removed – after a long period of growth.

The red list is a compilation of species deemed to have such small or declining populations that they risk disappearing from the country in the long term. It is updated every five years, and this year’s preliminary version is open for review and reporting until September 15.

The red-listing of the moose may come as a surprise – especially in northern Sweden, where the population has increased in several areas. In several counties, hunting pressure has therefore been increased to reduce browsing damage. However, looking at the country as a whole, the moose population has decreased by almost a quarter over ten years.

– We are not influenced by any societal goals or the forestry industry’s desire to reduce the population, says Henrik Thurfjell, species group manager at SLU’s Species Information Centre, to Swedish news agency TT.

According to Thurfjell, hunting is the main cause of the decline – despite many hunting teams deliberately shooting fewer moose than their allocated quotas.

– While there are concerns about warmer climate and diseases, the main reason is hunting, he says.

Porpoise in danger, otter recovering

Another species causing concern is the Belt Sea harbor porpoise, which often gets caught in fishing nets as bycatch. Meanwhile, some species show clear recovery. The Eurasian otter has steadily increased for several years and is now being removed from the list, thanks in part to efforts to reduce environmental toxins and chemicals in Swedish water environments.

For a species to be reclassified as viable, the rate of decline must have been below 15 percent over three generations. However, even if this requirement is met, the species is kept on the list for an additional five years as a precautionary measure before potentially being completely removed.

The European polecat, now proposed for red-listing, is believed to be declining in numbers – partly due to competition from otters, which inhabit the same environments.

This year’s preliminary list includes more new additions than removals. In total, 210 species have been added, and 228 have received changed classifications compared to the previous list. Among the newly red-listed species are the elder-flowered orchid, sea trout, herring, and the ringed seal – a seal species native to the Baltic Sea.

Being red-listed doesn’t mean a species is immediately facing extinction. The criteria vary depending on the species. A population of under 20,000 individuals may be sufficient for red-listing – but in other cases, such as for the golden eagle, the number must fall below 2,000.

Government aims to halve Sweden’s wolf population

Biodiversity

Published 27 June 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Environmental protection organizations warn that the decision could eventually lead to the complete disappearance of wolves from Sweden.
2 minute read

The Swedish government has decided to lower the minimum number of wolves required to ensure the species’ survival in Sweden. The new reference value has been adjusted down from 300 to 170 individuals.

The decision has received sharp criticism from the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (Naturskyddsföreningen), which warns that wolves risk disappearing entirely from Sweden in the long term.

Sweden reports to the EU every six years on the status of endangered species under the Species and Habitats Directive. For this year’s report, the government has instructed the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (Naturvårdsverket) to lower the reference value for wolves – that is, the minimum number of individuals required for the species to survive and persist long-term – from 300 to 170.

According to the Ministry of Rural Affairs and Infrastructure, there are currently 355 wolves in Sweden.

The reference value indicates how many individuals of a species are minimally needed in a country for the species to be preserved long-term in its natural range. It is used as one of several indicators to assess the species’ conservation status and is reported to the EU under the Species and Habitats Directive. In Sweden’s latest report in 2019, the reference value for wolves was set at 300.

“Needs protection”

The government’s decision to lower the reference value faces strong opposition from environmental and animal protection organizations, which point out that the wolf population in Sweden is already under severe pressure from inbreeding and illegal hunting. The Swedish Society for Nature Conservation argues that the lowered threshold violates both scientific recommendations and EU law.

– The government is making decisions that could lead to wolves disappearing from Sweden in the long term. Lowering the reference value to just 170 individuals from today’s 300 weakens an already critically endangered species, says Beatrice Rindevall, chairperson of the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, in a press release.

– The wolf is critically endangered on the red list and needs protection. It is an explicit requirement that the reference value should be based on scientific grounds, but the government is driven by polarizing threat scenarios instead of facts, she further argues.

“A level that works”

Swedish Minister for Rural Affairs Peter Kullgren (Christian Democrats) argues that an excessive wolf population causes significant damage to society – and that wolves today have a negative impact on Swedish food production.

– We can conclude that if we have 170 wolves in Sweden, we’re at a level that simply works.

As a first step, the wolf population will be reduced from the current 355 to 270 individuals – and according to Kullgren, this means that the next wolf hunt will be significantly more extensive than usual.

EU classifies mink as invasive

Biodiversity

Published 25 June 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Minks threaten biodiversity by preying on birds, amphibians and small mammals, causing great damage to sensitive ecosystems.
2 minute read

The EU’s list of invasive alien species has been updated – mink is now included. However, Finland plans to apply for an exemption to continue fur farming.

The European Union has updated its list of alien species that threaten biodiversity. The species on the list are banned from being imported, sold, bred, cultivated or used within the EU. One of the most notable new additions is the mink – a decision that is causing concern in the Finnish fur industry, which has been heavily criticised in many quarters.

Invasive species are animals and plants that spread to new areas and cause ecological imbalance. They can outcompete native species and cause significant damage to ecosystems. The EU list is intended as a tool to limit their spread and protect biodiversity.

The inclusion of mink in the ban could deal a severe blow to Finland’s controversial fur farms, but Finland hopes to obtain an exemption, as it did in 2017 when the raccoon dog was added to the list.

– The assessment is that Finland is likely to be granted an exemption, says Karin Cederlöf, government secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

North American beaver displacing European variety

If the exemption is approved, mink farming could continue in the country, but under stricter safety requirements. However, no new farms would be allowed to be established.

Finland is now preparing an official request to the EU for an exemption for mink. The government and parliament have given the go-ahead, and work will start immediately after the summer break.

In addition to mink, the North American beaver has also been added to the list. Finland has already taken measures to reduce the spread of the disease in order to protect the endangered European beaver. These efforts will now be further intensified, according to Cederlöf.

Several new bird and fish species as well as plants are also covered by the rules. Among mammals, in addition to mink, sika deer is also among the newly added species.

The EU’s work against invasive species is usually described as a central part of the Union’s environmental strategy, and the list is updated regularly as new threats are identified. For Finland, the decisions represent a delicate balance between nature conservation and economic interests – and the exemption for mink could be decisive for the future of the fur industry.

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