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The Ministry of the Environment has set a hunting limit of 175 wolves for this hunting season, 2020-2021, which begins tomorrow, October 15.
This limit was established on the basis of the monitoring data of the wolf population, taking into account the results of the research and the recommendations of the scientists, estimating that there are at least 54 families of wolves in Lithuania, and in order to maintain the adequate level of these important forest ecosystems in the country.
The wolf is a protected species in the EU and in many other countries. In accordance with international obligations, Lithuania must guarantee a favorable conservation status of this species, therefore the hunting of wolves is restricted by establishing not only the allowable hunting period, but also the hunting limit. In Lithuania, the wolf hunting season begins on October 15. and lasts until March 31. When your hunting limit runs out, the season ends earlier.
The Ministry of the Environment did not take into account the proposals received so as not to limit the hunting of wolves. After all, in this case, the wolf population would be in danger of significantly declining, which would have a negative effect on their long-term survival.
The regulation of the wolf population, according to Algirdas Klimavičius, head of the Nature Protection Policy Group of the Ministry of the Environment, should be done with caution, because these animals play a very important role in the ecosystem. By killing foxes, mangoes, and other smaller predators, they help preserve endangered species of breeding birds: grouse, black grouse, jerubas. Studies have shown that doubling the number of wolves reduces the abundance of medium-sized predators by four times.
Wolves should also help slow the growth of deer populations. It has increased several times in the country in recent years. Deer injure more than 2,000 tons each year. ha of state forests. Fences, repellants and other measures to protect forest plantations cost the State Forestry Company about LTL 2 million per year. euros. Wolves reduce deer damage to the forest, as ungulates are an important part of their diet.
We remind you that if you notice wolves, lynxes or bears and their tracks, be sure to register them on the website www.biomon.lt.
