In a statement, the organisations point out that "the Iberian wolf constitutes a single biological population shared by Portugal and Spain, but the two countries manage it under radically different legal regimes."

While in Portugal, wolves have "rigorous protection"; when they cross the border into Spain, they can be hunted and killed "under a fragmented and recently weakened legal framework," with activists considering that "the investment in conservation made in Portugal is, in part, systematically nullified on the other side of the border."

Binational structure

In this context, Rewilding Portugal, Green Impact, and the Fondo Para la Protección del Lobo Ibérico, supported by more than 50 organisations from both countries, are calling for the creation of “a binational Portugal-Spain structure for the Iberian wolf, based on the same proven model that saved the Iberian lynx from extinction.”

According to non-governmental organisations, the structure would be jointly coordinated by the Portuguese Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF) and the Spanish Ministry for Ecological Transition and should “develop a joint conservation strategy and a single shared annual census of the cross-border population, based on a harmonised methodology and shared data — the same instruments that support the recovery of the lynx.”

Unique conservation area

“The Iberian wolf deserves a unique conservation area at the European level. Portugal has demonstrated extraordinary courage in maintaining rigorous protection. Now, it must leverage this leadership to build a coordinated response with Spain and demand that the EU (European Union) provide the necessary funding for coexistence to work,” the organisations say, quoted in the statement.

They note that the new structure does not require new legislation, adding that, as with the Iberian lynx, “it could be established through a bilateral memorandum of understanding between the two governments,” building on existing agreements.

“What is needed is political will and institutional leadership from both sides of the border,” they point out, indicating that “Portugal has expressed its willingness.”

Financial support

EU financial support for coexistence measures in the bloc's 2028-2034 budget and recognition of the contribution of Iberian wolf conservation to the objectives of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, as well as "the full implementation of Portugal's Alcateia 2025–2035 Program," are other requests from NGOs.

According to a statement from Rewilding Portugal, Green Impact, and the Fondo Para la Protección del Lobo Ibérico, there are between 250 and 300 wolves in Portugal, integrated into 58 packs, with their "area of ​​presence" having decreased by 20% in two decades.

Between 2008 and 2013, 623 wolves were legally killed in Spain, while in Portugal, the animal has had legislation protecting it since 1988, "six years before EU legislation required it."