In Sweden, the Nature Conservation Association has announced its intention to appeal against the authorized hunt of 153 lynxes this year, which marks a significant increase from last year. The association claims that this increase contradicts EU laws and hunting legislation, thereby posing a threat to the survival of the lynx population, which is currently classified as vulnerable with approximately 1,400 individuals remaining in the wild. This decision is met with strong opposition as it signifies that more than one-tenth of the lynx population would be targeted this hunting season.

The debate centers on the fact that the lynx is a strictly protected species under EU legislation and is designated as a threatened species in Sweden. Isak Isaksson, a biodiversity and predator expert at the Nature Conservation Association, emphasizes that allowing the hunting of such a significant number of lynx contradicts their protected status. The association is appealing the hunting decision in all relevant administrative regions, excluding areas with reindeer husbandry in Västerbotten, Jämtland, and Västernorrland, reflecting a significant concern among conservationists.

In the short term, the Nature Conservation Association hopes to halt the lynx hunting immediately, which they believe is imperative to maintain the ecological balance and protect the species from further decline. As they push forward with their appeal, the situation underscores the ongoing tension between conservation efforts and hunting interests in Sweden, highlighting the need for careful management of wildlife populations in a way that honors both biodiversity and traditional hunting practices.