The Wolf Within: Rewilding Ourselves

The wolf, a symbol of wilderness and resilience, faces renewed threats as Europe’s Commission proposes to weaken protections under the Bern Convention. The documentary The Wolf Within, now available on WaterBear, delves into the delicate coexistence between humans and wolves, portraying the urgency of safeguarding these iconic creatures.

Celebrating the Bern Convention’s 45th anniversary, the film underscores the importance of this historic agreement in preserving Europe’s wildlife. Yet, just as the global community aims to protect biodiversity, a proposal threatens to roll back progress by allowing more culling of wolves, putting decades of conservation efforts at risk.

While human-wolf conflicts require careful management, culling disrupts pack structures and can heighten tensions with the livestock industry. Instead of resorting to short-term culling solutions, European countries should focus on long-term strategies for coexistence, blending traditional practices with modern methods to prevent damage and foster sustainable relationships between wolves and rural communities.

New film

Over 300 NGOs, including Io Non Ho Paura Del Lupo and The European Nature Trust, alongside 310,000 supporters, are rallying to protect wolves. The Wolf Within challenges us to rethink our relationship with nature, illustrating the need for harmony between human development and wildlife preservation. It calls on viewers to take action, joining the fight for stricter protections and ensuring the continued survival of wolves across Europe.

In a world that increasingly distances us from the wild, the wolf within symbolises our own deep connection to the natural world. To rewild ourselves is to reclaim lost instincts, to understand that our survival and well-being are intertwined with the health of the ecosystems we inhabit.

From the movie: “It doesn’t matter who we are or where we come from. The steady gaze of the wolf locks onto us, and in that instant, the chains binding us to daily illusions snap. There’s no person, man or woman, who can remain untouched by such an encounter. In the wolf’s gaze lies a connection to something larger than ourselves, a wake-up call to the wild around us, and a calling to the wolf within.“

The film’s message is clear: it is time to rewild our hearts and minds, embracing the wolf not as an enemy but as a vital part of Europe’s natural heritage. The stakes are high, and the time to act is now. To support the cause, viewers are urged to sign the petition and join this critical movement for wildlife conservation.

To watch the film: visit WaterBear.

Add your voice to the petition: Stop wolf hunting in Europe