Unjustly demonized? – EU line for wolves “attack on species protection”

It’s hard to believe after all the excitement surrounding the predator, but Austria only has a paltry three proven wolf packs plus individual animals currently looking for a mate. In total, between 50 and 70 wolves live in our country, says Christian Pichler, an expert in the field of national species protection for the environmental association WWF, in an interview with krone.at.

It is still far from the wolf being able to survive in our latitudes in the long term. It plays a major role in maintaining the natural balance: ‘Intact nature only exists if there are as many species as possible that maintain nature.’ With every species that becomes extinct, the structure no longer functions as well, says the expert.

The wolf has not been present in our latitudes for 150 years. The result is an excess of wild animals. “This is unnatural,” Pichler warns. Every year there is enormous damage caused by browsing in the forests. The most natural and best remedy for this is not people, but wolves.

For Pichler, the European Commission’s plan to initially weaken the Bern Convention and in the future also the EU nature conservation directive for wolves is a “populist attack that is not based on scientific facts”. He suspects that next year’s European elections are the backdrop.

“The wolf is a real health police officer”
“The wolf is a real health policeman,” Pichler reminds us. When hunting wild animals, he usually kills the weakest and sickest. When people take on this task, the situation looks very different. Then it would be more likely that the strong and healthy people would be targeted and the wolf would not even catch them. Due to the natural selection of wild animals by the wolf, the animals in the forests are much healthier.

According to studies, the wolf has its own sense of detecting diseases. His sensitive nose allows him to smell sick game before health problems can be detected through clinical examinations. “So sacrificing the wolf at the expense of nature and our environment is not a solution,” Pichler told krone.at.

Farmers need to be helped
However, farmers suffer from the proliferation of wolves; After all, farm animals are killed repeatedly. According to Pichler, there are much better ways to do this than releasing the predator to be shot. For example, the construction of special electric fences that prevent wolves from entering is a good and relatively cheap solution. So when he tries to reach the herd, “he gets an electric shock on the snout,” says the WWF expert. The predators learned this over time and then normally kept their distance.

The alpine pastures need more shepherds again
Pichler also sees the need for action on the alpine pastures: “Investments are needed in the protection of herds so that farmers can stay on the alpine pastures.” Shepherds play an enormous role in animal health. “Every year, thousands of sheep die on Austrian mountain pastures due to storms and the like. “The sheep are often simply left to fend for themselves,” says Pichler in dismay.

We have a lot of catching up to do
Overall, the current system needs to be changed without demonizing the wolf. “Unfortunately, Austria is still very far behind,” the expert warns. Ultimately, with appropriate government support and the construction of suitable fences, the disadvantages resulting from the return of predators can easily be eliminated. What causes a lack of understanding among animal rights activists is that politicians and often the Chamber of Agriculture emphasize that there is no need for herd protection. “In my opinion, they are simply abandoning their own people,” concludes the expert.