Norway’s government minister in charge of the environment has allowed another controversial wolf hunt to resume, even as legal action to halt it proceeds in the Oslo City Court.
Climate and Environment Minister Vidar Helgesen isn’t waiting for the court’s decision, and allowed the hunt for seven wolves outside zones protecting them in Oslo, Akershus, Østfold and Hedmark.
Plaintiffs in the case, environmental organization WWF, said they were “very disappointed” that Helgesen allowed the hunt. WWF had won a temporary restraining order that halted the hunt on the basis of some miscalculations by the state, but it has since expired.
The hunt will be suspended again next week in accordance with national law that prohibits hunting between Christmas and New Year, called romjul in Norwegian. WWF is protesting the government’s decision to shoot 42 wolves in Norway this winter, amounting to fully 75 percent of the Norwegian wolf population, after demands from powerful farm lobbyists and landowners.
newsinenglish.no staff
