- A strange wolf doesn 't need to be afraid of being shot
Even after another sheep attack in the community of Forbach (Rastatt district) a month ago, a known wolf male, "GW852m", will not be shot. Despite being a repeat offender with multiple attacks in recent months, the current law only allows for a wolf to be shot if it breaches adequate herd protection twice in close temporal and spatial proximity. A spokesperson for the responsible environmental ministry confirmed this, stating that the attack on July 25th did not involve any herd protection, thus failing to meet the essential requirement.
It remains unclear whether "GW852m" is responsible for the attacks on six sheep and the injury of four others in the same area. The animal bodies are currently being examined by experts from the Forest Research Institute, while the Senckenberg Center for Wildlife Genetics in Gelnhausen is analyzing genetic samples. The ministry has stated that it is not possible to definitively confirm or exclude the wolf as the culprit at this time.
The wolf has been resident in the Northern Black Forest since 2017. Forbach lies within the Wolf Prevention Support Area of the Black Forest. Within these areas, the state supports livestock owners in acquiring and maintaining electric fences and livestock guardian dogs.
"GW852m" has been previously documented in Forbach after attacks on sheep and goats. After the latest known incident in February, discussions about shooting the wolf were held. In Baden-Württemberg, this is legally possible under strict conditions if a wolf repeatedly attacks livestock and is declared a "nuisance wolf". However, the "Wolf Management Plan" of the state also states that an extraction must always be preceded by the implementation of reasonable alternatives, such as wolf-repellent herd protection. If a wolf kills or injures livestock on pasture and breaches herd protection at least twice in close temporal proximity, it may be killed by certain individuals.
Although "GW852m" has a history of attacking sheep and goats in Forbach, the July 25th incident did not involve herd protection, keeping it from being shot according to the current laws. Despite residing in the Northern Black Forest since 2017, the wolf's actions have placed it in conflict with local livestock, underscoring the challenges in managing wolf-human interactions.
