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Wolf Management: Saxony Adjusts Its Herd Protection Measures

Wolf Management: Saxony Adjusts Its Herd Protection Measures
Saxony supports livestock owners in implementing preventive herd protection measures. (Stock photo). / Photo: Bernd Weißbrod/dpa
From: DieSachsen News
Following changes to the Federal Hunting Act, Saxony is modifying its livestock protection measures. “This strengthens the protection of our grazing animals,” says the minister in charge.

Saxony is revising its guidelines for protecting livestock from wolf attacks. The Ministry of the Environment and Agriculture cited changes to the Federal Hunting Law as the reason. Compliance with herd protection measures is a legal prerequisite for hunting a wolf following a confirmed attack on a livestock animal.

Saxony intends to consistently implement a change in policy regarding wolves

“The federal government has initiated a necessary change in policy regarding wolves. We are consistently implementing this in Saxony,” emphasized Minister Georg-Ludwig von Breitenbuch (CDU). Where the requirements are met, hunting wolves must be permitted. With the regulations on herd protection, Saxony is now creating a legally sound framework for this.

“This strengthens the protection of our grazing animals and provides clarity for livestock owners, hunters, and authorities. Furthermore, we are vigorously pushing forward with the necessary changes to state law and the new wolf management plan,” the minister explained.

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Wolves may be hunted under certain circumstances

The ministry referred to amended legal regulations under which a wolf may be hunted immediately if it can be proven that the wolf has injured or killed a livestock animal and has overcome herd protection measures to do so. This requires an assessment of the damage by the Wolf Unit of the State Office for the Environment, Agriculture, and Geology.

Sheep and goats should be protected from wolf attacks with 1.05-meter-high, electrified pasture netting or wire fences—with a minimum voltage of 4,000 volts along the entire length of the fence. Fixed fences made of chain-link wire, knotted mesh, or similar material must be 1.20 meters high and electrically protected against being dug under or climbed over. For game enclosures and pens, a height of 1.80 meters applies, along with protection against digging under and climbing over the fence.

168 livestock killed by the end of June

Saxony supports livestock owners in preventive herd protection. Preventive herd protection measures that meet a reasonable standard are fully subsidized.

In Saxony, 98 incidents involving livestock were reported this year through the end of June; in 61 cases, the wolf is considered with sufficient certainty to be the cause. A total of 168 livestock were killed and 18 injured; 10 additional animals are considered missing.

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