The Administrative Court of Eastern Finland has struck down permits issued by the Finnish Wildlife Agency that allowed for the hunting of lynx in the region. This decision comes after the agency had granted permission for the killing of 125 lynx across North and South Savo, Kymenlaakso, and North Karelia during this winter’s hunting season. In November, the court suspended the execution of these permits, effectively canceling the planned winter hunt.
The Wildlife Agency had defended its position by emphasizing the need to engage local communities in maintaining a healthy level of lynx protection. However, the court found these arguments lacking. It pointed out that the agency failed to provide evidence of any existing challenges in involving local residents in lynx conservation or that the prospect of hunting would enhance such commitment.
The issue garnered significant public attention last fall when Finnish nature conservation organizations lodged complaints against nearly all the exceptional hunting permits for lynx. The Finnish Association for Nature Conservation (FANC), the country’s largest conservation group, argued that “lynx do more good than harm,” noting their role in preying on invasive species like white-tailed deer and Raccoon dogs, whose populations have been kept in check through collaboration among hunters and conservationists.
This ruling continues a trend: the Administrative Court had already annulled hunting permits for lynx issued in Southwest Finland.
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