Sweden Issues 486 Licenses for Bear Hunting

Sweden has initiated its brown bear hunting season, issuing 486 licenses for this year, sparking concern among conservationists that this could lead to a 20% decline in the bear population. Critics, including the Swedish Carnivore Association and the predator conservation group 'Sweden's Big Five,' argue that such high quotas are excessive and amount to trophy hunting, potentially destabilizing the population, which is estimated to have decreased from around 2,900 bears in 2017 to approximately 2,450 today. While the government maintains that regulated hunting is necessary for population management and to protect livestock, activists assert that the practices violate EU protections for the species. The hunting season runs until October 15 or until the quota is met, with reports indicating that hunting has begun briskly, with over 70 bears killed within hours of the season opening. Last year's quota was even higher at 649, raising further alarms about sustainable wildlife management. The ongoing debate highlights the tension between conservation efforts and hunting regulations in Sweden.