Germany Lifts Wolf Hunting Ban Amid Rising Attacks, Policy Shift After EU Chief's Pony Death

• Germany's Bundestag passes new law legalizing wolf hunting due to increasing population and attacks on livestock.
• Wolves killed or injured approximately 4,300 domestic animals in 2024, prompting government action supported by Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
• New law allows 16 German states to permit wolf hunting July-October in high-density areas; wolves attacking livestock can be shot anytime.
• Policy shift influenced by 2022 incident where EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's pony 'Dolly' was killed by a wolf.
• Environmental groups like Nabu, Green Party oppose the law, advocating for non-lethal protection methods; bill heads to Bundesrat.