Call for more actionable management of wolf

The number of wolves in Fryslân is increasing sharply. The number of wolf attacks on farm animals has also risen sharply recently. In the first months of this year, there were 69 reports of attacks on farm animals in Fryslân. "That makes there a constant fear among animal keepers. But also among residents. The wolf is seen more and more often in inhabited areas, which increases the feeling of insecurity," says Deputy Matthijs de Vries. 

Action perspective

Currently, efforts are being made to prevent wolf damage, for example through subsidies for wolf-proof fencing, education, a wolf consultant and the Gebietskommisje Wolf. "But that is not enough," says de Vries. "We see that the action perspective falls short. Only commitment to education and damage prevention is not enough to remove concerns and the feeling of insecurity." That is why the municipalities in Southeast Fryslân and the province are calling for more perspective when it comes to wolf management. Among other things, by speeding up the adjustment of the wolf's protected status so that there is room for management sooner. 

Population of wolves in central Europe

The parties also stress that they would like to see a new assessment of the size of the population of wolves in Central Europe. The wolves in the Netherlands are part of that population. If all sub-populations in Central Europe are added together, there is currently already a favorable conservation status (enough wolves to sustain the species). This would allow management of the wolf population. 

De Vries: "The concerns of our animal keepers, residents, but also of us as municipal and provincial governments, are great. More actionable wolf management in our province is needed in the short term. That is why we are sending State Secretary Rummenie this letter."