How Wolves are Impacting Cattle Behavior in Drents-Friese Wold Nature Reserve

The behavior of the herd of cattle in the Drents-Friese Wold nature reserve has changed due to the arrival of the wolf. This is noticed by herd manager Gijs Bouwmeester, who oversees the herd and grazing in the area for Natuurmonumenten.

Eighty Spanish Sayaguesa cattle have been grazing in the area of ​​approximately one thousand hectares for twelve years. Several calves have probably been killed by wolves in recent years, Bouwmeester says RTV Drenthe. The herd now learns to defend itself against the predator.

The cows now spend the night together with the small calves and they seek out the edges of the nature reserve. “Close to human activities, near roads, cycle paths and residential areas. Where people live with guard dogs, which can also act as a watchdog for the herd,” says Bouwmeester.

According to the manager, the herd also behaves differently around the birth of a calf. During childbirth, a cow normally isolated itself. Now the animal stays closer to the group during birth, or isolates itself with a small group.

According to Bouwmeester, the arrival of the wolf may also have advantages. Now the group size is managed to ensure that all grazers have enough food: “If some growth disappears at the front, then that might help us,” he says.

Yet he is not confident about the future. For the time being, wolves do not attack large cattle, but according to the manager, that may change in the future.

“A wolf thinks twice before it starts eating a large cow with two large skewers on it. That’s crazy. But things can change, especially if a pack starts to grow and can handle larger prey,” says Bouwmeester.