Grids that Staatsbosbeheer wants to place to protect the goat herd that grazes on the edge of the forest from the wolf, divide Helenaveen to the bone. Some people who live on the edge of the forest think it is only logical that fences should be built to protect the animals from the wolf. Others think it’s nonsense and say you should let nature take its course.
The goats of Staatsbosbeheer graze peacefully in a meadow on the edge of the forests near Mariapeel. But that was different. A few years ago the herd was attacked by a wolf and there were casualties. According to the province, there are currently no wolves in Brabant. But Staatsbosbeheer is still taking measures to protect the herd against the wolves that are not there (yet).
Of course, ranger Lieke Verhoeven cannot say whether the wolf will return to Peel. But an emergency fence has already been placed to protect the herd of goats.
“You don’t want to see those goats being torn apart by a wolf.”
“We started consulting with local residents a few months ago, but because it takes a little longer, a temporary measure has now been taken.” When the final fences will be installed will depend on the speed at which the permit is issued and on consultation with local residents.
A tour of a few people who live near the goat pasture shows that they are extremely divided. Thijs has no problem with the grids: “Well, a grid against the wolf, that’s what I’m all for. Because here is a herd of Dutch Land Goats. A unique herd and you don’t want to experience them being torn apart by the wolf. We’ve been through that before.”
“Staatsbosbeheer does what it wants anyway.”
Gradje, who lives a little further away, is one of the fiercest opponents of the grids. She is also not happy with the way Staatsbosbeheer consults: “They do what they want and that consultation is only for form.”
Desiree and Sander also live in a house near the meadow where the goats graze: “The couple believes that the wolf is welcome and that nature should be allowed to take its course. They also believe that Staatsbosbeheer communicates poorly and that causes a lot of resistance in the village.
Staatsbosbeheer has now made adjustments to the plans. Many residents were afraid that they would no longer see deer if the grids were installed. But gates are now being installed so that the animals can still enter the pasture. The power is also only switched on in the grids where the goats are currently grazing.
Forest ranger Lars Coolen is now personally visiting residents to talk about the measures. That already paid off on Wednesday. A woman who was initially a fierce opponent of the grids says she can live with them. Now let’s wait and see if the big bad wolf ever comes back to Peel.
2024-03-14 08:26:40
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