The Wolf Controversy - Another wolf pack found in Schleswig-Holstein
In Schleswig-Holstein, another wolf pack has been confirmed. "This is a great success for species protection in Schleswig-Holstein," said Environment Minister Tobias Goldschmidt (Greens) on Friday. During a visit to a forest area near Langenlehsten in the Herzogtum Lauenburg district, the minister learned about the tasks of wolf management in Schleswig-Holstein.
The pack was confirmed through footage from trail cameras showing the parent wolves with several cubs. "What's special about this pack is that we share it, so to speak, with our neighboring state Mecklenburg-Vorpommern," said Christina Lerch from the Schleswig-Holstein Ministry of the Environment.
Pups were born in MV
"The parent wolves have been living in Schleswig-Holstein for some time, but the pups were born this year in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Therefore, our eastern neighbor is considered the home of the pack." Currently, three wolf packs have been confirmed in Schleswig-Holstein. They are located in the Sachsenwald in the Herzogtum Lauenburg district, in the Segeberg district, and near Langenlehsten.
The minister then visited the main sheep farm of Heike Griem. Her approximately 2,000 sheep and goats graze on the heathlands in the wolf area. The animals are protected by wolf-repellent fences and eleven Pyrenean mountain dogs, which are supposed to defend the animals against wolf attacks. This example shows that the return of the wolf can be reconciled with the aspects of livestock farming, Goldschmidt said.
The director of the State Office for the Environment, Matthias Hoppe-Kossak, was also impressed by the shepherd's commitment. "She demonstrates impressively how preventive herd protection can make it possible for grazing livestock to coexist with the large predator wolf," he said. "With well-established wolf management and the initiative of the animal keepers, conflict-free coexistence between wolf and grazing animals is possible."
The pack shares its territory with neighboring Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, making it a transboundary one.This successful coexistence between wolves and livestock farming is evident at Heike Griem's main sheep farm, showcased by her use of wolf-repellent fences and protective dogs.
