Date: June 1, 2018
Source: FECYT - Spanish Foundation for Science and
Technology
The persecution of wolves in
order to remove them from human settlements has culminated in their
near-disappearance in numerous European countries, like Spain and Sweden.
Following a recovery of the species, a team of scientists has determined what
geographic areas in the Scandinavian country would be most suitable for a
redistribution of the specie's range, in the interests of increasing the social
acceptance of wolves.
The conflict between wolves and
humans is a fight over territory and livestock. This centuries-long struggle
has led to the near extinction of this great carnivore in 1970s Spain, as well
as in other countries such as Sweden in the middle of the last century. In the
60s, there were no breeding populations in Sweden and only 10 specimens extant
in Scandinavia.
It is for this reason that, in
1966, the Swedish government formally protected the species in a country where
70% of its surface is characterized by large forests, most of them intended for
trade.
Of the 438,600 km2 of the
country, only 3% has buildings and 8% corresponds to agriculture. Under
government protection, the first reproduction of wolves took place in 1978 and
the population began to grow about fifteen years later. At present, the population
of Swedish wolves exceeds 400 individuals.
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