Nej till ännu en licensjakt på varg!Once again the swedish wolves need your help - follow this link and support them with your signature!
[link]Here's my translation of the text on the petition site for those who are not able to understand swedish - it might be far from perfect, but I think it's enough to explain the whole thing:
Say NO to another licensed Wolf Hunt in 2011!On january the 15 th 2011 the starting shot will be fired for another extensive wolfhunt in Sweden.
In spite of the fact that the population is small and fragile, Sweden continues to shot wolves this winter.
Last years' hunt resulted in the shoting of many alpha leaders and that one of the last year's litters was left without their parents. There are no indications that these puppies might have survived. Furthermore, in relation to the size of the wolf population, too many wolves were shot and additionally the death rate has been unusually high after the hunt. The difficult genetic situation hasn't improved and any hunt will further aggravate the state. If genetic strengthening will work out is not known yet.
In 2011 there are plans to shot 20 wolves in the six counties Dalarna, Gävleborg, Västra Götaland, Värmland, Örebro och Västmanlands län. Again about 10 % of the wolf population are supposed to be shot, despite the fact that Wolves are a heavily endangered species in Sweden. The hunt will be carried out in the same way as last year, which means that there are no restrictions taking the wolves into consideration. Neither parental couples with puppies nor offspring from immigrated wolves are protected.
In Sweden there's no possibilty to appeal against the licensed hunt, even though it lacks a legal as well as a scientific basis. Therefore Svenska Rovdjursföreningen, Naturskyddsföreningen, Världsnaturfonden WWF and Djurskyddet Sverige reported last winter's hunt to the responsible EU-commission. A reply is yet anticipated.
The swedish government motivates the hunt with the argument that it obtains acceptance for wolves. However a majority of the swedish folk, even in regions with an occurence of wolves, has already a positive opinion towards wolves in Sweden. On the other hand there's no indication at all that the minorities which oppose the wolf have changed their minds to a more tolerant stance since last year's wolf hunt.
Show the swedish politicians that you take a stance against the hunt and support the wolf!
Make your voice heard and sign the petition below that will be handed over to Environment Secretary Andreas Carlgren.
Take the cahnce and become a member of the Svenska Rovdjursföreningen/Swedish Association for Predators: www.rovdjur.se.
Appeal!* I protest against the licensed wolf hunt 2011 in Sweden and demand that it stops! No licensed wolf hunt before there is a wolf population in Sweden that is genetically healthy and viable!
* I also protest against the limitation of the wolf population to a maxiumum number of 210 individuals! Let the population grow and set a new preliminary aim of 400 wolves until there is a plan for a long-sighted viable wolfpopulation in Sweden!
Background information:Sweden has one of the most vulnerable european wolf populations; it is small, isolated and genetically heavily impoverished.
Furthermore in Sweden a lot of wolves get killed, legally and illegally. The recent activities are completely out of the authorities' control and there has been a strong escalation in association with the licensed hunt. Just in 2010 about 40 swedish wolves have been shot legally - out of a total population number of approximately 250 individuals. Out of the total death rate of around 60 wolves in one year the majority of cases were due to hunting. Another unknown quantity of dead wolves has to be added due to illegal hunt.
- Any hunt corrupts the situation for the very vulnerable wolf population.
- The plan of releasing genetically unrelated wolves struggles against huge problems and is insufficient.
Collect signatures!If you want to help with collecting signatures you can download the petition here:
[link]Send the filled in lists to:
Svenska Rovdjursföreningen
Masthamnen
116 30 Stockholm
Sweden
Thanks for your help!
namn - your name
ort - the place you live
yrke - your occupation
Epost - your e-mail adress
Skriv under nu! - Sign the petition!
I thank this stubborn, slow and cozy bitch for changing my life completely 7 years ago, for making me laugh every single day and for giving birth to a litter of 5 wonderful wolfdogs. Skadi is the very best companion one could wish - hope we will have another 7 years together!
Two years with this beautiful, as wild as sweet tempered dog and I am thankful for each and every single day! Working for and with this first Howling Northwind litter was, despite all the stress one of the best things I have done in my life so far. Gratulations to all siblings of Tova - may the gods grant you a long and happy life!
Another great picture of Tjalve (this time with his father) I don't want to withhold... Looks like fun!
