Human disturbance is most likely the cause of the death of a she-wolf near Ede. Last Saturday, the animal was killed on the N224. According to Natuurmonumenten, the animal was almost certainly hunted by people.
The nature organization deduces this from the time when the she-wolf was killed: 11 a.m. “The she-wolf has definitely been disturbed in her territory,” says nature management director Teo Wams of Natuurmonumenten. “The disturbing factor must be a human, as she has nothing to fear from other animal species. She apparently felt compelled to flee at an unsafe time, to an unsafe place. ”
According to Wams, the forest rangers in the South Veluwe know well how the she-wolf behaves normally. “The she-wolf knew her territory like the back of her hand, knew where hiking trails lead and where there is traffic. She avoided those places. She knew: I have no business in human territory, and in the middle of the day it is perilous to show your muzzle there. The she-wolf largely limited her habitat to the extensive resting area. ”
For a long time, forest rangers have been very annoyed by some ‘nature lovers’ who nevertheless enter the resting areas that are closed to people, even before the pandemic. “They understand it and apparently they think that you are allowed just a little more than other recreational users. The opposite is true. If you know how fragile nature is, you treat it with extra respect, ”says Wams. The lockdown has significantly increased the number of visitors to nature reserves. “We are proud of it. But it requires all of us to cherish and respect the nature where we are guests. ”
The accident with the she-wolf comes one day after a joint appeal from nature organizations to leave the ‘nursery nature’ alone. Natuurmonumenten, Staatsbosbeheer, Landschappen NL and the Goois Natuurreservaat are very concerned about the breeding season now that people are massively looking for nature because nothing is open. The appreciation for nature is positive, say the organizations, but breeding, mating and giving birth animals need rest, just like new, growing plants. Stay on the paths, dogs on a leash and do not leave any waste behind, the nature organizations urge. The breeding season lasts until mid-July.
Also read:
A group of dogs in the woods is not okay for nature
Large groups of dogs are no longer welcome in the Goois Nature Reserve. To the horror of the exhaust services.
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