THOUSANDS of demonstrators gathered in Madrid yesterday (Sunday) calling for special protection orders for the Iberian wolf, an endangered species whose population is reducing dramatically because of livestock farmers shooting them.
At least 200 environmental, wildlife and animal protection associations across Spain took part in the demonstration in the capital, which involved a march from the C/ Alcalá to the central Puerta del Sol square.
Some dressed in wolves' masks and walked to the background music of a funeral march.
“Wolves are not the 'baddies' of the fairytales, but are a valuable gem of our wildlife and should be protected,” said spokesman for Equo, Juan López de Uralde.
The savage image of killer wolves are promoted to make their slaughter appear less of an unethical action, the political coalition leader says.
“Barely 1% of harm suffered by livestock is caused by wolves, and their presence is necessary to guarantee the natural balance of our rural ecosystems,” added World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) Spain secretary-general Juan Carlos del Olmo.
“Authorities cannot continue to ignore the people's appeals in defence of wolves, and we will carry on fighting until their unfair and random persecution ends.
“We want more discussion, more science and more respect from authorities, allowing this gem of nature to carry on living.”
Del Olmo adds that it is 'intolerable' how, in the 21st century, nothing is being done to ensure the safe cohabiting of wolves and livestock alike.
Read more at thinkSPAIN.com