The traditional husbandry of 700 sheep and lambs in Haus im Ennstal was overshadowed this year by concerns about wolves. But is that justified with only two cracks in the previous year? Emotions run high.
Shepherd Bastian went uphill for the third time on Friday, at 2020 meters above sea level, with Viennese Lena and sheepdog “Jimmy” as partners – and the trio will not go back into the valley until September. The most important maxim of the experienced shepherd: “I definitely want to bring all 700 sheep home safe and sound this fall.”
His biggest concern: “It’s ‘paw rot’, a hoof disease.” Not afraid of the wolf? “Not about us at all, they also stay away from the sheep when people are around.” Of course: “I understand the concerns of the farmers.”
Broad alliance against the wolf
The “Ennstaler Almlämmerprojekt” has been on the Hauser Kaibling since 2008, the difference with this year’s boost: This time a broad alliance has lined up for it. From farmer representative Franz Titschenbacher and the mayor to tourism experts Toni Hafellner (Almwirtschaftsverein) and Bernhard Tasotti from sheep and goat breeding. A huge front – against the wolf.
Gerhard Fallent of the Wolfsstopp Association came from the Waldviertel to provide eloquent support. Display a catastrophe scenario. Conversations about battlefields on the pasture after the wolf has raged, people who no longer dare to go into the woods, children who are no longer allowed to play outside.
Only two proven wolf rips in 2022
This is way out in Styria with two confirmed wolf deaths last year (for comparison, 174 were caused by dogs). But, according to the experts: “We must overcome this danger before such situations arise. That can happen very quickly.”
The great fear of farmers
It is not ‘only’ about horribly abused sheep and traumatized animal companions as eyewitnesses or animals that flee in panic and fall. That would be way too short. It would be about the fear of farmers, which would lead to no longer breeding; two sheep farmers from Ennstal had already decided this year. The consequences: overgrown pastures, much higher costs if you have to keep them “in good shape” without the hard-working grazing animals, changes in the landscape, tourist losses.
The demands of this alliance: As an immediate step, the legal basis for being allowed to shoot wolves that would have killed. And also at EU level: hunting the (currently strictly protected) wolf all year round. Tenor: “There are already 20,000 wolves and we don’t have to protect them anymore.”
We look after a little lamb, who happily bleats behind his mother. We sincerely hope that he returns to the valley healthy and vibrant in the fall.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
