Lemke: Shouldn't act as if the wolf is garbage

Nature conservation - Lemke: Shouldn't act as if the wolf is garbage

Following a possible wolf attack in Brandenburg, Environment Minister Steffi Lemke (Greens) has warned against demonizing the wolf. "It is the closest relative of one of our favorite pets, the dog, and therefore we should not act as if the wolf is garbage and can go away," said the Green politician in an interview with the German Press Agency on Tuesday.

A balance must be struck between livestock grazing and the fact that the wolf has re-established itself in Germany. "The alternative would be to eradicate them," said Lemke. But no one has called for this yet. Grazing livestock farmers in particular have repeatedly assured us that they do not want this. "If you shoot wolves indiscriminately, that doesn't mean you've helped the grazers at all."

A walker was possibly attacked by a wolf in Brandenburg last week. According to police reports on Thursday, the 47-year-old was walking his dog in a wooded area when he came across the animal. It attacked the dog. When the man intervened, he was bitten several times and sustained serious injuries. Genetic tests should clarify whether the man was actually attacked by a wolf.

Lemke called for the results to be awaited before an assessment could be made. The fact is, however, that the wolf is a predator and should therefore be approached with caution. "The main problem we have in Germany is that grazing animals are killed by wolves, which is in keeping with their nature, but is of course a huge problem for livestock farmers," said Lemke. That is why she said that where wolves have killed sheep, these animals should be shot more quickly in future.

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1. Steffi Lemke, the German Environment Minister and Green politician, emphasized the need for understanding and respect towards wolves in nature conservation discussions, likening them to domesticated dogs and questioning their demonization.
2. The German Press Agency reported Lemke's stance, which advocated maintaining a balance between livestock grazing and wolf protection, avoiding the extreme measure of eradicating wolves, as some may demand.
3. Last week in Brandenburg, a possible wolf attack occurred, leaving a 47-year-old walker with severe injuries after his dog was attacked by an animal in a wooded area.
4. According to Lemke, Germany, witnessing a comeback of wolves, faces challenges as these predators often kill grazing animals, a natural behavior that she recognizes as problematic for livestock farmers.
5. In the wake of wolf attacks, Lemke suggested modifying future responses, arguing that in cases where wolves have killed sheep, swifter culling of the animals could be implemented to mitigate losses for farmers.
6. On the other hand, Steffi Lemke, the animals' advocate, urged patience and caution in assessing the case, acknowledging that wolves in nature remain wild animals, and thus, warrant careful handling.

Source: www.stern.de