Wolf expert recommends targeted protective hunting of problematic wolves

Multiple federal states have a particularly high wolf population

In Germany, Brandenburg, Lower Saxony and Saxony are federal states with a particularly high wolf population, with Brandenburg also occupying a leading position in Europe with around 60 proven territories in terms of area. Fuhr, who also heads the wolf working group at the Brandenburg-Berlin Ecological Hunting Association (ÖJV), recently cited an average of 500 to 600 wolves in the federal state.

"It would be important for all wolves that are not deterred by the reasonable and agreed herd protection to be shot quickly and efficiently," says Fuhr. "This is not the shooting of a few individuals, but a kind of protective hunt that must take place in parallel with the necessary herd protection so that this herd protection remains effective."

So far, individual so-called removals have often been stopped by administrative courts. Livestock farmers and parts of the population in rural areas are very upset.

"Absurdities" in dealing with wolves

Fuhr refers to the case of a female wolf on the Lower Rhine ("Gloria"), who, as a very productive mother, had raised "a whole dynasty of sheep eaters". "The fact that she is still alive and that no action has been taken is one of the absurdities produced by the legal regime of "strict protection" for wolves," he says. On the other hand, there are completely inconspicuous packs. Such differences in behavior have also been documented in Switzerland.

"In the end, it is much more important for biodiversity that we have grazing animals in the landscape than that wolves run around in the landscape," says Fuhr. However, there could now be "major disappointments". "The claim that comprehensive hunting and a reduction in overall numbers, as demanded by the farmers' association and hunting association, will make life easier for graziers is not correct," he warns.

Are professional wolf hunters the answer?

The Brandenburg Hunting Association, on the other hand, recently called for a fixed hunting season for wolves and would also welcome the introduction of an upper limit for the animals.

Fuhr, on the other hand, warns against releasing wolves for shooting in so-called driven hunts. These hunts are used to shoot and regulate roe deer, red deer and wild boar without any protests. "If the wolf were to be put on the shooting list there, this peace would be over," warns Fuhr. According to him, the best thing would be "to have professional forces, wolf hunters, to do this, but you have to be realistic". This is not provided for in the hunting system.

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