food and politics

We’re seeing a lot of chatter about wolves making their return to Europe. Are they really these big, bad creatures out to get our livestock and terrify us? Beyond the headlines, there’s a narrative that’s getting overlooked. Wolves, seen by some as threats to livestock and potentially to humans, are at the center of a debate that says more about us than it does about them.

Why the fuss about wolves?

Some say wolves are a threat to livestock and might even harm humans. But in reality, the actual danger posed by wolves to humans is minimal, almost negligible. Simply put, wolves aren’t into hunting humans. We’re more likely to get hurt in a car accident or from pollution than from a wolf encounter…

Now, when it comes to livestock, surely there is some truth there. That’s where humans need to come into picture, to protect their livestock, because most of the issues arise due to inadequate protective measures on our part. So instead of changing the status of protection of the wolf within the EU, we can do a bunch of other things to keep the livestock safe, like training dogs to guard them, creating deterrents etc. There’s a treasure trove of guidelines, best practices, and solutions that can help coexist with these wolves. To me it just seems a tad too convenient to push the blame onto wolves, rather than addressing our own shortcomings.

Also, the European Union isn’t leaving farmers to fend for themselves. They’ve got provisions to compensate for any wolf-induced damage.

Let wolves be wolves

The deal is that decisions about wolves shouldn’t be made after a super short 18-day feedback period. We need some solid data to make such a big call. These animals have been a part of Europe’s story for ages. They help keep our environment in balance, and it’d be a shame if we lost them.

It seems we’re at a crossroads. Wolves in this case symbolise something greater than just an ‘issue’ to be solved. They’re a part of Europe’s rich ecological tapestry, maintaining balance in ecosystems.

We’re in an era where the balance between human progress and nature is fragile. Casting aside wolves today could set a precedent. Tomorrow, another species might be under the scanner. Isn’t it time we stop playing the blame game? Instead of reacting to each ‘threat’, isn’t it time we proactively build a world where nature and human progress coexist? It’s a shared responsibility, especially given the environmental impact humanity has had so far.

To make meaningful changes, we need to base decisions on science and empathy. Instead of finding the next thing -or creature- to blame, let’s focus on solutions that work in harmony with earth’s incredible biodiversity.