Lynx hunting has been authorized in Örebro, Stockholm, and Västra Götaland counties following a ruling by Sweden's administrative court, despite an appeal from the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (Naturskyddsföreningen). This decision is part of a licensed hunting program that permits the culling of 153 lynxes this year, marking a significant increase from the previous year. The current population of lynxes in Sweden is estimated at around 1,400, although the species is still classified as vulnerable due to previous declining numbers.

The Swedish Society for Nature Conservation expressed their disappointment over the court's decision, arguing that it violates both EU law and Swedish hunting legislation. The organization plans to appeal the ruling to the Administrative Court of Appeal in Sundsvall. In conjunction with the approval of hunting in three counties, the court also suspended the lynx hunt in Gävleborg pending further review, indicating ongoing legal scrutiny regarding the management of this species.

The court's decisions have raised concerns among conservationists regarding the sustainability of lynx populations in Sweden. While numbers have increased in recent years, the push for increased hunting quotas reflects tensions between wildlife management, conservation priorities, and public opinion on hunting rights. As legal challenges continue, the outcome of these hearings may significantly affect the future of lynx conservation efforts and hunting regulations in the country.