A demonstration for the "live and protected wolf" sweeps through central Madrid.

Madrid, June 22 (EFE) - A demonstration in support of the "living and protected wolf," according to its motto, demanding the immediate protection of the Iberian wolf and an end to its hunting, marched through the streets of central Madrid this Sunday.

A march with great social support

Led by a large figure of a howling wolf, the demonstration started on Atocha Street and ended at Puerta del Sol. It was organized by Animal Guardians, AnimaNaturalis, Dirus, Ecologistas en Acción, Grupo Lobo Asturisa, Lobo Marley, NAC, and WWF, with the support of some 170 civil society organizations.

Some 1,500 people, according to the Government Delegation, and thousands according to the organizers, arriving from various parts of the country, carried banners in support of the protection of the Iberian wolf, with slogans such as "Howl for the wolf" and "Bullets are not the solution." Some wore masks and large photographs of the animal and chanted slogans such as "Not one more shot, not one less wolf."

Rejection of its exclusion from LESPRE

WWF conservation coordinator Luis Suárez explained to EFE that this protest is demanding that the wolf be reinstated on the List of Wild Species under Special Protection (LESPRE).

Last March, the Congress of Deputies approved removing wolf populations north of the Duero River from the list, through a PP amendment to the Law on the Prevention of Food Loss and Waste, which was also approved with the support of Vox, Junts, and PNV.

The organizers have denounced this decision, which, they argue in a written statement, "involves modifying environmental regulations under pressure from the sector and therefore constitutes a very serious precedent for the protection of nature."

Suárez has demanded that the wolf be once again "a protected species and stop being hunted and abused, as it is now," and that its "dignity" be restored.

The WWF representative stated that they will continue to "fight" in the courts until they achieve a legislative change because they are convinced that "according to European regulations, wolves cannot be hunted in Spain."

Political support and coexistence measures

Among those attending the march was Irene Montero, MEP and Podemos's deputy leader, who emphasized that they were "taking to the streets in defense of the wolf," demanding a "live and protected wolf."

Montero said they will continue to act, "both in Parliament and on the streets, as well as in the territories, especially those with the greatest lack of protection," to ensure the return of wolves to the LESPRE, to ensure there are conservation plans and safe ecological corridors, as well as legislation and "firm and decisive action against poaching."

Suárez emphasized that coexistence between wolves and livestock is possible. "There are many measures that can reduce the damage," he said. "What we need to do is implement these measures so that livestock farming is supported by them and, of course, that the damages caused are promptly and fairly paid for."

Killing wolves is not the solution

"Killing wolves is not the solution; it serves no purpose," Suárez emphasized, an argument defended by protesters during the march. At the end of the march, a manifesto was read, defending the wolf as "a predator with an irreplaceable role as a regulator of the health and balance" of ecosystems.

In the manifesto, the authorities have been asked to return the Iberian wolf to the LESPRE and to guarantee compliance with the European Union's Habitats Directive, ensuring the growth of this animal's population.

Furthermore, the need to approve conservation plans for the species, based on scientific knowledge and allowing for the effective prosecution of poaching and poisoning, was emphasized in a march that ended with protesters howling in support of the Iberian wolf. EFE

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