The BW Ministry of Environmental Protection has presented a new concept for protection against wolves. The focus is particularly on young animals in herds of cattle.
The Ministry in Stuttgart developed the new concept for protection against wolves in the Black Forest together with the Baden Agricultural Association (BLHV) from Freiburg and the Forestry Research and Testing Institute (FVA). The concept is intended to protect cattle in herds in particular and consists of different measures for two age groups. A wolf-repellent fencing is required for calves up to and including eight weeks of age. All older cattle must be kept in a functioning herd with mother animals or well-fortified old animals. The concept for protection against attacks by wolves on a cattle farm in Sankt Ulrich in the district of Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald was presented.
Wolf Returns: Challenging protection of cattle in herds
Environment Minister Thekla Walker (Greens) said on Wednesday that the wolf would be a major challenge for pastoralism after its return to the Black Forest. An effective protection of the cattle is an attitude in mixed herds. This is also the best way to reconcile biological diversity and economic interests. The protection concept is accompanied by a model project by the BLHV, the Southern Black Forest Nature Park and selected model companies in order to test and improve the measures.
Cattle in herds: calves and young animals particularly at risk
BLHV President Bernhard Bolkart said at the presentation that the new concept takes into account that young animals in particular are at risk and that every tear by the wolf represents an emotional burden for families who keep their cattle in herds. The owners need more support and solutions have to be found together. In addition, the needs of tourism in the Black Forest should also be taken into account. However, according to Bolkart, there is no standardized protection for everyone. According to the new concept for the protection of cattle in herds from wolves, farms should be able to choose from various combinations of measures that best suit their profile. The legally secure removal of so-called problem wolves is particularly important for Bolkart.
Cattle farmers are not alone in protecting themselves from wolves
Thekla Walker said there is a limit to what cattle herd owners can expect. Killing wolves should always be the last resort, but support for herd protection should be pragmatic. So if a wolf repeatedly harms cattle in herds, the owners are not left to their own devices according to the new concept for the protection of their cattle, according to Walker.
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