Europe CONSERVATION
Europe
The International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List most recent assessment of the wolverine’s status in Europe was conducted in 2023 and designated the wolverine’s status across Europe as a species of Least Concern. As explained in the assessment of wolverines in Europe on the IUCN Red List’s website:
In addition to their circumpolar distribution across Siberia and North America, Wolverines once occurred throughout the European part of Russia, Norway, Sweden, Finland, the Baltic States, and northeast Poland. During the 19th century, Wolverines disappeared from the southernmost of these areas in Europe mainly due to persecution, but also due to deforestation and other human developments. In Europe, the species is now found in Norway, Sweden, Finland and the European part of Russia. Within these countries, Wolverines are mainly found north of 60ºN.
The species underwent historical declines as a result of persecution, hunting, habitat loss and fragmentation, however, these declines are beyond the three-generation length timeframe (21-24 years) for a threatened category under criterion A, and the current population trend is overall at least stable. Whilst data from Scandinavia and Finland suggests Vulnerable (D1) for the European region given that the total population is probably between 1,200 and 1,600 individuals, which corresponds to about 700-1,100 reproductive individuals. However, an estimated overall population of 1,400-2,000 individuals in European Russia, based on end-of-winter surveys, suggests that the number of mature individuals there exceeds 1,000. As a result, the species is assessed as Least Concern (LC) for the European region.
The IUCN assessment for Europe further detailed the wolverine’s status by region within Europe:
Scandinavian
Vulnerable (VU D1). The Scandinavian part of the geographical European range is stable/increasing, but the population is small, about 800-1,200 individuals (not including cubs of the year; Höglund and Tovmo 2023, Milleret et al. 2023). The Scandinavian population is only narrowly connected with the Karelian population (Kleven et al. 2019).
Karelian
Endangered (EN D). The Finnish part of the Karelian population is very small, about 390-410 individuals (all age classes; Kojola et al. 2022). There is no recent data available on the population size from the European part of Russia, but older data indicates a higher density of Wolverine in Russian Karelian than in eastern Finland (Danilov et al. 1996).
European Russia
Least Concern (LC). An overall population size of 1,400-2,000 individuals is estimated for European Russia, based on end-of-winter surveys, suggesting that the number of mature individuals there exceeds 1,000.
Across Europe , management of the wolverine (like all species) is directed by the Bern Convention (Council of Europe’s Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats). Under the Bern Convention, wolverines are listed in Appendix II (strictly protected fauna). This means that capturing, killing, or trading wolverines is generally prohibited, but exemptions can be applied for specific reasons (e.g., preventing serious damage to livestock).
Also, within those countries of the European Union, wolverines are strictly protected under the EU Habitats Directive (Annex IV). This means that EU member states must ensure the wolverine’s conservation and avoid deliberate disturbance or killing. Exceptions can be applied under Article 16 to address the prevention of damage by wolverines to human economic and safety interests.
Finally, each country can have its own management designations (along with meeting the requirements of the Bern Convention and/or the EU Habitats Directive).
Norway
Norway is not a member of the European Union, therefore it is not obliged to follow the European Union’s Habitats Directive. Norway is a party to the Bern Convention, so it must fulfill these international protection obligations for the wolverine. Nationally, wolverines are managed under the Nature Diversity Act. Managed through a “population control” regime designed to balance conservation with the protection of semi-domesticated reindeer and sheep, Norway has committed to maintaining a national goal of approximately 39 breeding pairs (roughly 250 individuals). While listed as protected, wolverines are subjected to intensive, year-round lethal management, including licensed hunting and government-authorized “extraordinary” removal of denning females.
Sweden
As a member of the European Union, Sweden is obliged to manage wolverines under the European Union’s Habitats Directive, as well as the requirements of the Bern Convention. Under the EU Habitats Directive, the wolverine is listed under Annex II (Strict Protection) and Annex IV (Special Areas of Conservation). Under Annex IV, wolverines are treated as strictly protected species in all EU countries, requiring Member States to prohibit the deliberate killing, capturing, or disturbance of wolverines, particularly at breeding and resting sites. Under Annex II, Sweden is required to designate Special Areas of Conservation for the wolverine. Specific to Sweden, wolverines are classified as Vulnerable or Near Threatened and therefore strictly protected (although limited, regulated “protective hunting” is allowed to mitigate conflicts with reindeer herding).
Finland
As a member of the European Union, Finland is obliged to manage wolverines under the European Union’s Habitats Directive, as well as the requirements of the Bern Convention. Under the EU Habitats Directive, the wolverine is listed under Annex II (Strict Protection) and Annex IV (Special Areas of Conservation). Under Annex IV, wolverines are treated as strictly protected species in all EU countries, requiring Member States to prohibit the deliberate killing, capturing, or disturbance of wolverines, particularly at breeding and resting sites. Under Annex II, Finland is required to designate Special Areas of Conservation for the wolverine. Specific to Finland, wolverines are classified as an “endangered, strictly protected” game species. Management focuses on maintaining a viable population while minimizing damage to reindeer husbandry through a national management plan, allowing for limited, case-specific, state-authorized lethal removal.
Russia (including European Russia and Siberia)
Russia is not a party to either the Bern Convention or the European Union’s Habitats Directive. Instead, in Russia wolverines are managed as a game species and fur-bearing animal. They are legally hunted and trapped for their fur and managed under hunting regulations. However, in Russian Zapovedniks, the country’s strictest category of protected area officially known as state nature reserves, it is illegal to hunt or trap wildlife (including wolverines). Finally, unlike the Scandinavian countries, Russia has no comprehensive national population goals for wolverines.