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Human dimensions of wolf (Canis lupus) conflicts in Finland

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Abstract

The growth of the Finnish wolf (Canis lupus) population during the last years has highlighted people’s contradictory attitudes toward wolves. The supranational conservation objectives brought on by Finland’s membership in the European Union (EU) and the regional application of the official policy on wolves have led to conflicts. This article is based on the preparation process of the wolf management plan in Finland. As a part of the process, a nationwide hearing was arranged in 2004. Fear of wolves is widespread and even more common in areas with low wolf population. People living in areas where wolves occur feel that they can no longer influence decision making which affects them and that the authorities, conservationists, and the EU do not listen to their opinions. Numerous requests have been made for the legislation and its interpretation, and concessions to these requests would promote consensus and increase tolerance for wolves. Proposed changes include reforming the damage compensation system and formulating a clearer interpretation of the conservation status of wolves. However, it seems impossible to create a policy that would be universally supported. As the wolf question has become more central in environmental policy, the conservation and management of the species have become more complicated, and the cooperation between various interest groups has declined. The wolf conflict could be mitigated by compromises, but because the conflict is value-based, solutions are illusive.

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Acknowledgments

We warmly thank all those people who participated in this study by answering the questionnaire or by participating in the public meetings. This study was financed by the Finnish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Ruralia Institute at the University of Helsinki (Seinäjoki Unit). Robert Thomson kindly checked the language. We also thank two anonymous reviewers for their constructive and helpful comments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Metsähallitus, Veteraanikatu 5, P.O. Box 81, 90101, Oulu, Finland

    Jukka Bisi

  2. Ruralia Institute, University of Helsinki, Kampusranta 9C, 60320, Seinäjoki, Finland

    Sami Kurki

  3. Hunters’ Central Organization, Fantsintie 13-14, 01100, Itäsalmi, Finland

    Marko Svensberg

  4. University of Oulu, P.O. Box 3000, 90014, Oulu, Finland

    Tuija Liukkonen

Authors
  1. Jukka Bisi
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  2. Sami Kurki
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  3. Marko Svensberg
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  4. Tuija Liukkonen
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Correspondence to Jukka Bisi.

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Bisi, J., Kurki, S., Svensberg, M. et al. Human dimensions of wolf (Canis lupus) conflicts in Finland. Eur J Wildl Res 53, 304–314 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-007-0092-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-007-0092-4

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