Support for wolves in the Netherlands is decreasing

Social support for the reintroduction of wolves in the Netherlands has declined. In January 2020, 57 percent of Dutch people thought the wolf was welcome in the Netherlands. This percentage decreased to 42 percent.

This is evidenced by research conducted by outgoing Minister of Nature and Nitrogen Christian van der Waals in September 2023 among more than two thousand Dutch people. The results have now been published. People who view the wolf favorably still see the added value of biodiversity, while people concerned about the wolf point to wolf attacks on livestock as the main argument.

In 2020, the Dutch were largely positive about the wolf. In 2023, the groups of positive people and people interested in the wolf will be about the same size. In addition, it appears that a larger number of Dutch people, more than a quarter, tend to avoid (natural) areas where wolves are present. The main argument for this is people's fear of encountering wolves.

Nature and space

The perception that there is enough nature and space for wolves has diminished. In October 2020, 56% of participants indicated that they believed there was enough space for wolves in the Netherlands. Now 42% still believe there is room for this. The Dutch now overwhelmingly believe there is not enough space for wolves (49 percent).

Although in January 2020, 52% thought the wolf belonged to the Netherlands, this percentage has now fallen to 43%. The number of Dutch people who believe that the wolf does not belong to the Netherlands rose from 20 percent in January 2020 to 35 percent in September 2023.

More Dutch believe that action should be taken against animals that cause nuisance or harm. Now, 33% of Dutch people support intervention in dealing with animals that cause nuisance or harm. In January 2020, this percentage was still 20 percent. The majority (58%) do not believe that a decision should be made in Brussels on how to deal with the wolf here in the Netherlands. 19% believe that this matter should be decided in Brussels.

The European Commission wants amendment

In December last year, the European Commission published a proposal to downgrade the protective status of wolves under the Bern Convention from “strictly protected” to “protected.” The goal of the proposal is to create greater space and flexibility in management measures against wolves, while continuing to strive to achieve and maintain a suitable conservation status for the species.

The annual meeting of the Standing Committee of the Berne Treaty is scheduled to be held in December 2024. Here the proposal will be discussed if a sufficient number of EU member states support it. This support is likely to be voted on in the Environment Council in the spring of 2024. The Netherlands has not yet determined its position.

The potential change in protected status under the Bern Convention has no direct consequences for the legal protection of the wolf in the Netherlands. Until European and national legislation is amended, the wolf remains strictly protected in line with the current protection regime of the Habitats Directive. If the change in protected status under the Bern Convention comes into force, the European Commission is expected to develop a proposal to amend the Habitats Directive accordingly in 2025.