The province of Noord-Brabant, together with the municipality of Heusden, the Mammal Association and the Southern Agricultural and Horticultural Organization (ZLTO), is looking into ways to prevent a wolf from settling near Heusden. The province reports this in a press release on Wednesday evening. It is not yet known exactly what the authorities will do.
The animal has been seen in an area around Heusden and Vlijmen, which is roughly bounded by the Maas, the A59 and the provincial road N267. Authorities want to prevent the animal from getting used to hunting sheep in the area. In principle, the animal should not be killed or caught, so preventive measures must be taken.
If the wolf could be restrained from catching sheep, experts say the animal would leave the area on its own within two weeks, the county reports. After that, if the animal does not leave the area by itself, the parties will sit around the table for next steps.
The wolf supposedly attacked dozens of sheep in a matter of weeks. Livestock farmers in Brabant are concerned about the presence of the animal. The province has already lent several farmers electric wolf-resistant nets, ZLTO wants more means to protect livestock.
ZLTO says it is a wandering wolf that can travel long distances every day. It is therefore difficult to determine which areas should be specifically protected.
Several extraordinary investigative officers (boas) are extra busy patrol in the area where the wolf has been spotted. This is to prevent illegal hunting of the wolf. The boas go into the area with various off-road vehicles and sometimes they go on foot.
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