Calls for wolves to be shot in the Lower Rhine region grow louder

Calls for wolves to be shot in the Lower Rhine region grow louder dpa 21 hrs ago | After the killing of several ponies in the Lower Rhine region, calls are growing louder for certain wolves to be released for shooting. "While the wolves in other wolf areas of North Rhine-Westphalia are currently only appearing sporadically, the situation in the Lower Rhine region is escalating," reads a statement by the two agricultural associations in NRW for a hearing on "Wolfsland NRW" planned for Tuesday in the state parliament. The different situation was "solely due to the wolf individuals living there", it continued. "If no consequences are taken, the acceptance of the wolf in the affected areas will continue to dwindle. Already now, "preventive measures and a quick removal of wolves that attack or kill grazing animals despite protective measures should be two sides of the same coin". In the Lower Rhine wolf sanctuary of Wesel-Schermbeck, three ponies had been torn and a fourth injured within two weeks. According to the Ministry of the Environment, all circumstances indicated that wolves had attacked the small horses. According to the agricultural associations, the wolf population in Germany is developing "with rapid dynamics". Its size is estimated to increase by 30 per cent annually. According to the Wolf-Fachstelle des Bundes (DBBW), a total of 11,666 farm animals were killed or injured by wolves in 3225 attacks in Germany between 2016 and 2020, or they have since been considered missing. In NRW, 248 farm animals were killed or injured in 84 wolf attacks in recent years. In the meantime, the NRW Environment Ministry has commissioned a legal opinion. It is to clarify whether a wolf with behavioural problems must be released for "removal", i.e. shooting. The wolf Gloria, who is said to be responsible for most of the wolf attacks in the Schermbeck area, is not mentioned by name by the ministry. The Administrative Court of Düsseldorf had rejected the "removal" of the wolf Gloria in May. The promotion of protective measures against the wolf is to be extended to horses and small horses, Environment Minister Ursula Heinen-Esser (CDU) had announced. A comparison with France: there, up to 19 per cent of the estimated annual wolf population may be "taken" under strictly defined conditions. With a wolf population of 99 packs, 110 wolves were approved for killing in France in 2020, according to the agricultural associations. In Germany, there were a total of 128 wolf packs and no kills in 2019/2020, according to the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation. The Sheep Breeders' Association of North Rhine-Westphalia also spoke out in favour of "active wolf management along the lines of France". The Arbeitsgemeinschaft bäuerliche Landwirtschaft (AbL) Lower Saxony demanded a new classification of wolf populations according to their numerical size and spatial distribution as well as a "realistic assessment" of the conservation status, which would have to be scientifically re-evaluated annually. In future, the wolf should no longer be considered "strictly protected", but only "conditionally protected". The SPD, which had requested the hearing, demanded that the black-yellow state government draft a herd protection law. The high number of livestock killings by wolves has led to a "tense atmosphere" among herders. Only a modern herd protection law and improved wolf management could reduce conflicts. Livestock keepers can apply for funding for fencing to protect their animals. According to the NRW Chamber of Agriculture, almost 360 mobile fences and 114 fixed electric fences were applied for in 2020/21 (as of 28.10.21). In addition, three applications were submitted for a total of nine guard dogs. According to the SPD, experience on the ground shows that financial support and compensation are insufficient. A future herd protection law would have to include the purchase and also the ongoing maintenance of fences and dogs. NRW has four wolf areas so far. Wolf packs live in three of them: in the Schermbeck area, in the High Fens and in the Oberbergisches Land.