Illegal Hunt?

The European Union has instigated an investigation into the hunt for wolves in Sweden last winter. There are suspicions that Sweden made the decision on the hunt in breach of the EU rules on habitats of endagered animals. The EU states that the hunt has probably contributed to more inbreeding of the Swedish wolves, that the purpose of the hunt is unclear, and questions the scientific causes for the hunt.

The Swedish government has said that it will bring more wolves to Sweden, in order to minimize the inbreeding. I guess this is a good idea. Dog breeders often bring dogs to their home country from abroad for the same purpose. Nevertheless, I cannot see the need for hunting wolves. There are so few wolves in Sweden anyway. People in the countryside who are afraid of the wolf may get large dogs for the protection of themselves and their livestock instead, this is a method that works in other countries.