Two booms were destroyed and several kilometers of flag lines burned, when activists tried to sabotage the wolf hunt in Våler in Innlandet this weekend.
On Facebook, the group has «Hunt Saboteurs Sweden» assumed responsibility for the action. It writes The Easterner and NRK.
– Hunters’ hatred of wolves is greater than ever. Last night, activists collected flag lines and probably saved the lives of several wolves who would otherwise be dead by now, the activists write in a post with several photos of burnt equipment.
Not the first time
According to Dagbladet’s information, the same campaigners have been in the area in connection with wolf hunting in the past. In 2019, they were expelled in connection with the felling of wolves in the Slettås area.
The police were then called in. Now Helga’s sabotage is also reported.
– A report will be submitted during the day, says Terje Myhre, deputy chairman of the Trysil hunting and fishing association.
Raised over NOK 50,000
The flag line, which was put into use at the weekend, works almost like a fence, and is used to limit the area in which the wolf moves. The method has proven to be very effective, but activists in the area collected kilometers of lines and set them on fire.
Myhre states that just over four kilometers of line worth NOK 20,000 were taken and burned during the campaign. In addition, two private booms were sawn to pieces.
Rejects hate
The police deployed resources in connection with the activists this time as well. A spokesperson for the group says The Easterner that they are prepared to be contacted by the police.
– Our members are ready to sacrifice both their safety and freedom for the animals. If an action means that we save a single animal, then it is worth it, says the spokesperson to the newspaper.
Deputy leader Myhre describes the situation as frustrating, and believes it causes the hunters unnecessary stress and fear of what the opponents will come up with.
– This is legally carried out hunting. We fully respect the fact that people want to show their views and commitment, but it is unnecessary that it goes beyond equipment. This was bought with money from hunting and fishing associations locally, so it is money from voluntary work that has been invested in equipment. That makes it extra frustrating, says Myhre to Dagbladet
– Getting desperate
Despite the sabotage, a wolf was killed in the wolf zone in Våler on Sunday. The deputy leader himself participated in the hunt, but rejects “Hunt Saboteurs Sweden’s” claim that the felling is due to hatred of wolves.
– I would say it is the exact opposite. The situation has calmed down a lot after we were able to start actively managing the wolf after 2018. All of us who participate in the hunt want to manage the wolf. Previously, it was much more conflict-filled and we sat with a feeling of powerlessness, says Myhre.
