Wolves to be Shown the Door?

The Eurasian grey wolf (Canis lupus lupus) is currently protected by the European Union's (EUs) Habitats Directive. Farmers now claim there's been a 'surge' in wolf numbers from about 12,000 in 2013 to 18,000 in 2022. They also blame wolves for the loss of livestock. The current EU leader also lost her pony to a hungry wolf (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/sep/04/eu-to-rethink-conservation-status-of-wolves-after-numbers-surge). The EU has been arguing with the Swedes for some time. They infringed the Habitats Directive, by agreeing to a cull of wolves, after pressure from their farmers and hunters. The planned 'rethink' is likely to involve evidence from conservationists, who will claim that the presence of the wolves prevents environmental destruction by overgrazing. They think farmers should take preventative measures, by using electric fencing etc. Farmers, however, will maintain that the presence of the 'wily' wolf endangers their livestock (and possibly humans). It's also likely that the hunting lobby will continue to blame the wolf for there being fewer animals and birds to shoot. This one, as they say, will run and run.