Finland is set to lift a nationwide ban on wolf hunting, ending more than five decades of strict protection amidst growing concerns over public safety and livestock attacks in rural communities.
The Finnish government submitted a bill to parliament on Friday, November 21, 2025, proposing to repeal a 1973 law that prohibited wolf hunting across the country.
If approved, the measure will allow wolf hunting to resume as early as January 2026, marking a significant policy shift after half a century of stringent conservation efforts.
Local media reports indicate the change is a response to escalating public safety fears, with some rural parents reportedly arranging taxi services for schoolchildren to avoid potential encounters with wolves.
The government also cited an increase in livestock losses, particularly sheep, as a key driver for the proposed legislative amendment. This highlights rising tensions in agricultural areas.
Data from the Natural Resources Institute Finland shows the wolf population has rebounded significantly since the 1973 protection law. Wolves were nearly extinct by the mid-20th century due to hunting.
In September, the country’s wolf population was estimated at 400-465 individuals, an increase from approximately 300 two years prior.
This population growth has led to wolves expanding their territory northward and westward, intensifying conflicts in rural areas. Farmers and pet owners have reported attacks on farm animals and domestic dogs.
Should the ban be lifted, the government plans to implement regional hunting quotas and establish specific periods when hunting is prohibited. This approach aims to manage wolf-related risks while seeking a long-term, balanced solution.