{"id":5077,"date":"2024-12-16T12:34:28","date_gmt":"2024-12-16T11:34:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/baer-wolf-luchs.agency-11.com\/?page_id=5077"},"modified":"2026-01-28T10:22:45","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T09:22:45","slug":"rechtlicher-status","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/baer-wolf-luchs.agency-11.com\/en\/beutegreifer\/rechtlicher-status\/","title":{"rendered":"Legal Status"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Large predators enjoy a high level of protection throughout Europe. Austria has committed itself, through the Bern Convention and the EU's Habitats Directive, to restoring a favorable conservation status for large predators. In addition, trade in large predators is regulated by the Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).<\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\n\t\t\tAustrian state laws\t<\/h3>\n\t

Hunting law, nature conservation law and species protection regulations<\/strong><\/h4>\n

In Austria, hunting and nature conservation fall under the jurisdiction of the federal states. International obligations for the protection of large predators have been incorporated into state hunting and nature conservation laws. State governments, district administrative authorities, or hunting associations are responsible for implementing the corresponding regulations.<\/p>\n\tDetails on the legal regulations in the federal states<\/a>\n

\n\t\t\tInternational agreements\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\tBern Convention<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t

The\u00a0Bern Convention<\/a> The Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, adopted in 1979, is an international treaty signed by 46 European and 4 African states, as well as the EU as an international organization.<\/p>\n

Austria has been a member state since 1983. The bear is listed in Appendix II (prohibition of disturbance, capture, killing, and trade) of the Bern Convention as a strictly protected species. The wolf and lynx are listed in Appendix III of the Bern Convention (use without endangering the population's survival). The golden jackal is not listed.<\/p>\n

Additional Recommendation 173, from 2014, addresses hybridization between wolves and dogs. Hybridization is classified as a threat to the conservation of wild wolves and is explicitly rejected. The signatories of the Bern Convention are urged to ensure government-controlled removal of confirmed wolf-dog hybrids from wild wolf populations.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\tFauna-Flora-Habitat Directive<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Die \u201eRichtlinie 92\/43\/EWG des Rates vom 21. Mai 1992 zur Erhaltung der nat\u00fcrlichen Lebensr\u00e4ume sowie der wildlebenden Tiere und Pflanzen“, kurz Habitats Directive<\/u><\/a>The Convention on the Conservation of Habitats and Wildlife is intended to regulate the conservation of habitats and wildlife across the EU. It transposes the Bern Convention into EU law. The aim is to restore and maintain a favorable conservation status for the species and habitats covered, taking into account economic, social, cultural, and regional requirements.<\/p>\n

The Habitats Directive must be transposed into national law by all EU member states. In Austria, this is implemented through the hunting and\/or nature conservation laws of the federal states.<\/p>\n

The large predators bear, wolf, and lynx are listed in both Annex II and Annex IV of the EU Habitats Directive. This means that, on the one hand, they are considered vulnerable species for which special conservation areas must be designated (Annex II), and on the other hand, they are subject to strict protection, which prohibits their killing, disturbance, or impairment (Annex IV). The golden jackal is listed in Annex V, which means that while it is protected, its population may be sustainably managed or regulated under certain conditions.<\/p>\n

According to Article 16 of the Habitats Directive, exceptions to strict protection may be granted if no other satisfactory solution exists and this does not result in an unfavorable conservation status for the species. Reasons include public safety and the prevention of serious damage, particularly in livestock farming.<\/p>\n

The following applies to both Annex IV and Annex V of the Habitats Directive:<\/strong><\/p>\n