Wolves return to Netherlands after 140 years
By Anne-Marie Bullock, 9 April 2019

The Netherlands has its first resident wolf population in
140 years, according to ecologists.

Wolves were hunted out of many European countries over a
century ago but have gradually been migrating back across
the continental mainland.

Occasional wolf sightings have been made in the Netherlands
since 2015. But these animals were previously thought to be
animals that had crossed over temporarily from Germany and
would subsequently return there.

Ecologists from campaign groups FreeNature and Wolven in
Nederland have been tracking two females in the Veluwe area,
collecting wolf prints and scat (droppings) from which
they can identify DNA.

"It's like Tinder," said ecologist Mirte Kruit, "it can say
if it's a male or female, are they single and looking for a
mate and [tell you] about their family."

They've told BBC Radio 4's Costing the Earth that their data
now confirms one of the females has stayed continuously for
six months and can now be considered "established".

A male has also been seen in the area so the first Dutch
wolf pack could be months away. They are still collecting
data on the second female.

Controversial return

Wolves are controversial, however. In France, since returning
from Italy in 1992, populations have grown rapidly. Sheep and
goat farmers say they're suffering rising attacks, with around
12,000 incidents reported. Farmers can receive compensation
if they have protection measures in place, like electric fences
or guard dogs, but many are still angry about the damage caused
to the flock.

The French Govt formed a cohabitation plan and in February
last year set a target wolf population of 500 by 2023. However,
it's thought this number may be reached or surpassed by this
Winter. France is proposing to increase the cull rate from
12% to 17% if that's confirmed.

Wolves are protected under the Berne convention and can only
be killed under specific circumstances.

Costing the Earth presenter Tom Heap travelled to Alpes de
Haute Provence to meet some of those affected. The region
has 22 wolf packs - the largest of any region - and last year
the region saw 700 attacks.

Farmer Simon Merveille said he witnessed one of his goats
being eaten by wolves.

"I was astonished because when I fired a warning shot they
just stayed looking at me - they did not leave," he explained.

Mr Merveille is happy for wolves to remain in France but
believes farmers must be allowed to kill them when they
attack livestock.

Andre Maurelle and Ingrid Briclot, who also farm in the
region, saw three wolves killing five of their sheep and
taking a sixth.

They have now installed 12km of electric fences and have an
apprentice shepherd, Mady, who is used to guarding cattle
from lions and snakes in Mali.

"We have to learn to cohabit," said Mr Maurelle.

Back in Holland, Wolven in Nederland have been working since
2008 to prepare the Dutch people for this very moment - the
return of the wolf to the country.

Ecologist Roeland Vermeulen says settled wolves are more
likely to eat deer or wild boar. Sheep, on the other hand,
are "like junk food", taken by roaming wolves or those less
experienced at hunting.

He thinks the Netherlands has room for 22 packs - each of
5-8 wolves. Whether the country can learn from others and
find a suitable balance will become apparent in the years to come.

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-47838162

On 14/04/2019 17:29, David P wrote:
Wolves return to Netherlands after 140 years
By Anne-Marie Bullock, 9 April 2019

The Netherlands has its first resident wolf population in
140 years, according to ecologists.

Wolves were hunted out of many European countries over a
century ago but have gradually been migrating back across
the continental mainland.

Occasional wolf sightings have been made in the Netherlands
since 2015. But these animals were previously thought to be
animals that had crossed over temporarily from Germany and
would subsequently return there.

Ecologists from campaign groups FreeNature and Wolven in
Nederland have been tracking two females in the Veluwe area,
collecting wolf prints and scat (droppings) from which
they can identify DNA.

"It's like Tinder," said ecologist Mirte Kruit, "it can say
if it's a male or female, are they single and looking for a
mate and [tell you] about their family."

They've told BBC Radio 4's Costing the Earth that their data
now confirms one of the females has stayed continuously for
six months and can now be considered "established".

A male has also been seen in the area so the first Dutch
wolf pack could be months away. They are still collecting
data on the second female.

Controversial return

Wolves are controversial, however. In France, since returning
from Italy in 1992, populations have grown rapidly. Sheep and
goat farmers say they're suffering rising attacks, with around
12,000 incidents reported. Farmers can receive compensation
if they have protection measures in place, like electric fences
or guard dogs, but many are still angry about the damage caused
to the flock.

The French Govt formed a cohabitation plan and in February
last year set a target wolf population of 500 by 2023. However,
it's thought this number may be reached or surpassed by this
Winter. France is proposing to increase the cull rate from
12% to 17% if that's confirmed.

Wolves are protected under the Berne convention and can only
be killed under specific circumstances.

Costing the Earth presenter Tom Heap travelled to Alpes de
Haute Provence to meet some of those affected. The region
has 22 wolf packs - the largest of any region - and last year
the region saw 700 attacks.

Farmer Simon Merveille said he witnessed one of his goats
being eaten by wolves.

"I was astonished because when I fired a warning shot they
just stayed looking at me - they did not leave," he explained.

Mr Merveille is happy for wolves to remain in France but
believes farmers must be allowed to kill them when they
attack livestock.

Andre Maurelle and Ingrid Briclot, who also farm in the
region, saw three wolves killing five of their sheep and
taking a sixth.

They have now installed 12km of electric fences and have an
apprentice shepherd, Mady, who is used to guarding cattle
from lions and snakes in Mali.

"We have to learn to cohabit," said Mr Maurelle.

Back in Holland, Wolven in Nederland have been working since
2008 to prepare the Dutch people for this very moment - the
return of the wolf to the country.

Ecologist Roeland Vermeulen says settled wolves are more
likely to eat deer or wild boar. Sheep, on the other hand,
are "like junk food", taken by roaming wolves or those less
experienced at hunting.

He thinks the Netherlands has room for 22 packs - each of
5-8 wolves. Whether the country can learn from others and
find a suitable balance will become apparent in the years to come.

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-47838162


And my first thought was 140 years? I remembered them playing PSV
Eindhoven in the 1980s .


--
Adam

Actually my first thought was that I thought most of the wolves had jobs in
banking.

Brian

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...
On 14/04/2019 17:29, David P wrote:
Wolves return to Netherlands after 140 years
By Anne-Marie Bullock, 9 April 2019

The Netherlands has its first resident wolf population in
140 years, according to ecologists.

Wolves were hunted out of many European countries over a
century ago but have gradually been migrating back across
the continental mainland.

Occasional wolf sightings have been made in the Netherlands
since 2015. But these animals were previously thought to be
animals that had crossed over temporarily from Germany and
would subsequently return there.

Ecologists from campaign groups FreeNature and Wolven in
Nederland have been tracking two females in the Veluwe area,
collecting wolf prints and scat (droppings) from which
they can identify DNA.

"It's like Tinder," said ecologist Mirte Kruit, "it can say
if it's a male or female, are they single and looking for a
mate and [tell you] about their family."

They've told BBC Radio 4's Costing the Earth that their data
now confirms one of the females has stayed continuously for
six months and can now be considered "established".

A male has also been seen in the area so the first Dutch
wolf pack could be months away. They are still collecting
data on the second female.

Controversial return

Wolves are controversial, however. In France, since returning
from Italy in 1992, populations have grown rapidly. Sheep and
goat farmers say they're suffering rising attacks, with around
12,000 incidents reported. Farmers can receive compensation
if they have protection measures in place, like electric fences
or guard dogs, but many are still angry about the damage caused
to the flock.

The French Govt formed a cohabitation plan and in February
last year set a target wolf population of 500 by 2023. However,
it's thought this number may be reached or surpassed by this
Winter. France is proposing to increase the cull rate from
12% to 17% if that's confirmed.

Wolves are protected under the Berne convention and can only
be killed under specific circumstances.

Costing the Earth presenter Tom Heap travelled to Alpes de
Haute Provence to meet some of those affected. The region
has 22 wolf packs - the largest of any region - and last year
the region saw 700 attacks.

Farmer Simon Merveille said he witnessed one of his goats
being eaten by wolves.

"I was astonished because when I fired a warning shot they
just stayed looking at me - they did not leave," he explained.

Mr Merveille is happy for wolves to remain in France but
believes farmers must be allowed to kill them when they
attack livestock.

Andre Maurelle and Ingrid Briclot, who also farm in the
region, saw three wolves killing five of their sheep and
taking a sixth.

They have now installed 12km of electric fences and have an
apprentice shepherd, Mady, who is used to guarding cattle
from lions and snakes in Mali.

"We have to learn to cohabit," said Mr Maurelle.

Back in Holland, Wolven in Nederland have been working since
2008 to prepare the Dutch people for this very moment - the
return of the wolf to the country.

Ecologist Roeland Vermeulen says settled wolves are more
likely to eat deer or wild boar. Sheep, on the other hand,
are "like junk food", taken by roaming wolves or those less
experienced at hunting.

He thinks the Netherlands has room for 22 packs - each of
5-8 wolves. Whether the country can learn from others and
find a suitable balance will become apparent in the years to come.

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-47838162


And my first thought was 140 years? I remembered them playing PSV
Eindhoven in the 1980s .


--
Adam