Abstract After more than two decades of implementation of the Habitats Directive (Directive 92/43/EEC), some fundamental aspects of the directive are still unclear, and subject to interpretive uncertainty, which limit its correct implementation. For example, obligations for Member States in situations where a protected population has almost, or has just, gone extinct are unclear. The isolated and protected population of wolves (Canis lupus) in the Sierra Morena region in Spain – the only wolf population in the southern half of the Iberian Peninsula – has been steadily declining to the point where it is doubtful whether any wolves are left. Using this illustrative example, we provide clarifications on the obligations by Member States in situations where populations are on the verge of extinction. Our analysis shows that Articles 6 and 12 of the Habitats Directive require Member States to restore populations that are quasi extinct. From a legal perspective, even the complete extinction of the species would not exonerate Member States from its obligations regarding the species in the Natura 2000 sites concerned. In this line, we argue that the Spanish authorities should not wait with recolonization, reinforcement and/or reintroduction actions until the complete absence of wolves in the Sierra Morena is conclusively proven. Two scenarios appear to meet legal requirements: i) active reinforcement/reintroduction, or ii) an active and effective policy towards a rapid natural recolonization of Sierra Morena by northern wolves. However, based on the observed wolf trends in Spain and Portugal during the past five decades, a reconnection between northern and Sierra Morena wolves seems unlikely in the foreseeable future even if actively promoted. Considering the urgency of actions required to avoid that this population will be the first wolf population to become extinct in Europe in modern times, in order to comply with European obligations, the adopting and carrying out a reintroduction/reinforcement scheme to restore the Sierra Morena wolf population is required. Such a scheme needs to be accompanied by a comprehensive enforcement plan to assure that reintroduced wolves will thrive.

中文翻译：

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关于欧洲濒临灭绝人口的法律义务：保护、恢复、重新殖民、重新引入

摘要 栖息地指令（指令 92/43/EEC）实施二十多年后，该指令的一些基本方面仍不清楚，并受到解释不确定性的影响，这限制了其正确实施。例如，在受保护种群几乎或刚刚灭绝的情况下，成员国的义务不清楚。西班牙塞拉莫雷纳地区的狼群（Canis lupus）是伊比利亚半岛南半部唯一的狼群，被孤立和保护的狼群一直在稳步下降，以至于人们怀疑是否还剩下狼群。使用这个说明性的例子，我们澄清了会员国在人口濒临灭绝的情况下的义务。我们的分析表明，《栖息地指令》第 6 条和第 12 条要求成员国恢复准灭绝的种群。从法律角度来看，即使该物种完全灭绝，也不能免除成员国对有关 Natura 2000 站点物种的义务。在这一方面，我们认为西班牙当局不应等待在莫雷纳山脉完全没有狼被最终证明之前采取重新殖民化、强化和/或重新引入行动。两种情况似乎符合法律要求：i) 积极加强/重新引入，或 ii) 一项积极有效的政策，以促进北方狼对 Sierra Morena 的快速自然重新定殖。然而，根据过去五年在西班牙和葡萄牙观察到的狼群趋势，即使积极推广，在可预见的未来，北方狼和塞拉莫雷纳狼之间的重新联系似乎也不太可能。考虑到需要采取紧急行动避免该种群成为现代欧洲第一个灭绝的狼种群，以履行欧洲义务，通过并实施重新引入/加强计划以恢复塞拉莫雷纳狼需要人口。这样的计划需要伴随着全面的执法计划，以确保重新引入的狼会茁壮成长。为了履行欧洲义务，需要通过并实施重新引入/强化计划以恢复 Sierra Morena 狼种群。这样的计划需要伴随着全面的执法计划，以确保重新引入的狼会茁壮成长。为了履行欧洲义务，需要通过并实施重新引入/强化计划以恢复 Sierra Morena 狼种群。这样的计划需要伴随着全面的执法计划，以确保重新引入的狼会茁壮成长。