Scientists baffled by disappearance of wolves from Finnish forests

Wolves have spread - or fled - into western and south-western parts of the country

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Scientists have been surprised at the decline in the population of wolves in Finland. The number of animals has fallen sharply in Eastern Finland, while they seem to have spread into new areas in the south and south-west.
      There are now approximately 200 wolves in Finland, whereas a year ago the number was closer to 250, according to a report produced by the Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute (RKTL).
     
A spot survey carried out in January and February of this year was ordered by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, because it was believed at the time that the numbers were growing. Normally wolves are counted in the late summer.
      “The survey could have been used as a basis for granting additional licences to cull the animals, but this will not be necessary. Last autumn I estimated that there might be around 270 wolves in the country, even as many as 300. The low figure we came up with was a surprise”, says Ilpo Kojola from RKTL.
      He notes that the numbers have declined by more than the hunting licences issued would have warranted. A total of around 30 such licences have been granted.
     
Apparently two packs of wolves have vanished from the Kuhmo region, close to the Russian border, comprising around 13 animals in all.
      Licences to kill seven wolves were issued in the Kuhmo region. RKTL has not been able to confirm its suspicions.
      “According to the offiicial statistics one wolf has been brought down by poachers in the Kainuu region, last week in Suomussalmi”, reports Jukka Keränen from the Kainuu Game Management District.
      He adds that in order to remove doubts that the problem of illegal hunting is a larger one, more money should be forthcoming for studies of the size of the elk and wolf populations.
     
Wolves could be in for a bad time in the south-west of the country, too, if they have in fact migrated there.
      In a case of successful breeding reported in Pyhäjoki back in 2002, the mother-wolves were later found shot and their bodies dumped in the sea, says Kojola.
      Hunting could be one reason for the wolves’ decision to move westward.
      Another cause could be diet. Ilpo Kojola notes that two or possibly three packs of wolves spotted near Mynämäki, north-west from Turku, are dining primarily on white-tailed deer found in the area.
      The most southerly reliable sighting of a wolf has been in Tammisaari on the south coast.
     
Finland’s earlier spat with the European Union over wolf-hunting has now been resolved.
      The European Commission made a recent decision accepting hunting of wolves in Finland, stating that in its view the practice was acceptable in order to protect livestock.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  European Union wants fivefold increase in Finnish wolf population (6.10.2005)
  European Court of Justice ruling will not change Finland´s wolf population management plan (15.6.2007)

Links:
  Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute (RKTL)

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