A coalition of nine organizations in Catalonia, united by a passion for animals and ecosystems, is pushing to improve wolf populations. The initiative faces opposition from the agricultural union Unión de Pagesos and hesitation from the Young Farmers’ Association (JARC).
Libera!, Signatus, Depana, Galanthus, Adda, WWF Barcelona, Llobu, Ecologistas en Acción, and Greenpeace have formed a platform with a clear aim: to support the restoration and conservation of wolves across Catalonia.
Members prepared a joint manifesto calling for several urgent steps to rescue the wolf in Catalonia and to secure social recognition of its essential ecological role, alongside the defense of a vibrant rural world. They emphasize that the wolf’s ecological function should be acknowledged without compromising the livelihoods of rural communities. (Source attribution: Platform platform statement)
Among the requested measures, the group seeks a monitoring and support program from the Generalitat to assist the species’ recovery in Catalonia. They also advocate for a social communication and environmental education program that highlights the wolf’s ecological contribution, aiming to dispel ignorance and social rejection of the species. (Source attribution: Platform manifesto)
Other proposed actions include promoting coexistence between wolves and extensive traditional livestock farming, conducting a study on the benefits of the wolf’s presence, and backing primary activities affected by the animal with regulatory, economic, and technical mechanisms. (Source attribution: Platform proposals)
On February 4, the State Natural Heritage Commission included the wolf on the list of wild species under special protection, adding it to the Catalog of Endangered Native Wild Animals. The approval was granted on September 20 of the current year. (Source attribution: State commission announcement)
Wolves in Catalonia since 2000
Wolves have been observed in Catalonia since 2000, their journeys tracing routes from Italian and French areas through the Pyrenees. Recently, one wolf was reported killed in Girona after allegedly attacking a herd of goats. (Source attribution: Generalitat reports)
According to the Generalitat, at least four male wolves have been observed, the most recent sighting in the l’Albera Nature Park in Girona. (Source attribution: Generalitat record)
“We recognize that the wolf will not return without considering rural communities and their lifestyles,” the platform’s backers state in the manifesto. They warn that rural depopulation and the fading of peasant life bring regional imbalances, reduce biodiverse agroforestry areas, crowd urban centers, and increase dependence on imported goods due to higher fossil fuel use. (Source attribution: Platform manifesto)
Supporters of the livestock platform argue for management that reconciles biodiversity protection, climate action, and the vitality of rural economies through practical, implementable measures. (Source attribution: Platform discussion)
Skepticism or rejection among villagers
Joan Guitart, regional coordinator of Unió de Pagesos in Alt Pirineu, told EFE that those advocating wolf reintroduction are not reliant on farming life and do not spend their lives on the land. He suggested that if wolves increase, villagers could bear the brunt of livestock damage. (Source attribution: EFE interview)
Lluís Viladrich, in charge of fauna for JARC, commented that the issue is not the animals themselves but the protective measures added by the administration, which he felt jeopardize farming viability. He emphasized that areas must remain populated by people who can sustain agriculture and animal husbandry. (Source attribution: EFE interview)
Viladrich reiterated the point: if the area becomes desolate, the rural population would disappear, making farming untenable and driving villagers away. (Source attribution: EFE interview)
Overall, the debate centers on balancing biodiversity goals with the livelihoods of rural communities, ensuring that protective policies support farmers rather than erode rural life. The voices within the platform stress practical steps that align ecological recovery with ongoing agricultural and livestock activity, aiming to keep rural areas viable while allowing wolves to thrive. (Source attribution: Platform summary)