State wants to implement rapid cull of problematic wolves
Lower Saxony's Environment Minister Christian Meyer has welcomed the new shooting regulations for problematic wolves. "Lower Saxony has long advocated pragmatic, simple and quicker removal of wolves in regions with high livestock damage despite existing herd protection," said the Green politician on Friday following the agreement reached by the federal and state environment ministers at their two-day meeting in Münster, Westphalia.
"I am very relieved and pleased that my colleagues from the CDU, SPD and Greens have unanimously spoken out in favor of the new model advocated by Lower Saxony to prevent significant damage to grazing animals," he continued in a statement.
Problematic wolves that have climbed over protective fences and killed livestock are to be killed more quickly than before in Germany in future.
The federal states are to define certain regions with an increased number of wolf killings. Unlike in the past, however, it will not be necessary to wait for a DNA analysis before shooting a wolf that has breached protective measures and killed livestock. "Faster culling around the affected pasture means that there is a high probability that the wolf responsible will be counted," says Meyer.
The areas with increased wolf predation can be defined independently by the federal states according to wolf territories, natural areas or municipal boundaries. "It was very well received by the conference that consideration should be given to topographical conditions, for example on the dykes, when it comes to reasonable herd protection in the "Practical Guide for Wolves". We need special protection for our dyke sheep because they are vital for our coastal and flood protection," emphasized Meyer.
The Landvolk Niedersachsen association argued that the requirement that a wolf must have overcome the protective measures and killed a grazing animal and that an animal may only be shot within a radius of 1000 meters around the pasture within a period of 21 days had nothing to do with reality. The time frame and the radius of only one kilometer are far too narrow, the state farmers' association said.
Federal Environment Minister Steffi Lemke (Greens) had already presented the proposals that have now been adopted in October. They are compatible with EU law, said Lemke on Friday in Münster. The approach to problematic wolves was also a sign of reconciliation to pacify the social conflict.
In the context of discussing the new shooting regulations for problematic wolves, several conferences on science and agriculture might be organized to explore alternative wolf management strategies that minimize conflicts with livestock farming and protect the environment. Moreover, these conferences could also invite experts in animal behavior to discuss methods for reducing wolf-livestock interaction and promote coexistence.
Source: www.dpa.com
