Today, the District Court of Utrecht confirmed an earlier ruling the suspend the exemption based upon which the province of Gelderland had intended to shoot a young wolf with a paintball gun. According to the judge, it has not been established that the wolf displayed abnormal behavior. It could also simply be curious behavior. Alternatives that would protect the wolf were insufficiently considered by the province. For example, shutting down part of the wolf’s living environment for visitors or hunters.
The Dutch foundation Faunabescherming (for the protection of fauna) is happy with the judgment, but will continue to closely monitor the situation of the wolf on the Veluwe.
The Faunabeschering is represented in this case by lawyer Bondine Kloostra.
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