New, state-of-the-art technology aims to protect sheep and cows from wolves on the Grabneralm near Admont. It is the last hope for many wounded farm souls. A local inspection.
At the end of the 19th century, the wolf was considered extinct in Austria. Just as long, precisely since 1893, the Obersteirische Grabneralm has been a beloved summer retreat for goats, sheep, cows, horses and pigs.
Wolf back home in the Gesäuse
Nestled between the mighty peaks of the Gesäuse, the Hochtor, Ödenstein and Planspitze, the idyll came to an abrupt end last year. A wolf has struck no less than seven times and the shock at the return of the great predator runs deep: “That’s where real tragedies take place. The killed animal is one thing; the other that the rest of the herd was completely dispersed. Usually you can’t find all the animals, lambs fall off because they run and panic,” Christian Forstner recalls with horror.
The shaking has begun
The head of the Grabnerhof College of Agriculture and Forestry in Admont was immediately clear that he had to act: “There is great uncertainty in the industry. This threat did not exist for 150 years, therefore no one can deal with it now, nothing is taught about it in schools. But we can’t wait, the farmers need a solution immediately. The season of sleepless nights has just started again.”
3500 volts and GPS transmitter
Together with the Austria Center Bär-Wolf-Luchs (ÖZ) and the Bundeslehr- und Forschungsanstalt Raumberg-Gumpenstein, both rooted in Irdning, a pilot project has now been rolled out on the Grabneralm, from which farmers from all over Austria look hopeful: “We have them. An area of about one hectare for our 26 sheep is surrounded by a new special safety fence with 3500 volts, and all the animals are equipped with a GPS transmitter,” the school principal said. Another asset in store: so-called WPIUs (Wolve Prevention Intervention Units), something like a mobile special unit that comes to the rescue at any time.
Who pays?
The project, which is funded by the government (total cost about 700 euros), should also be supported theoretically, also because a new focus on the topic of alpine pastures and herding is planned at the Admont technical school: “We carefully note all empirical values and state how many working hours, what activity is involved, etc.”, reports ÖZ manager Albin Blaschka.
Placing the electric fence alone is not enough: “The most important thing is regular maintenance and care. The wolf does not jump over an obstacle, but digs itself under it,” said Thomas Guggenberger, head of the Institute for Livestock Research at the HBLFA Raumberg- Gumpenstein. Besides, once the area is grazed, a new one needs to be fenced…
balance in September
When was the effort worth it? “If I bring all the animals back into the valley in September,” Forstner laughs. But then the real battle begins: “Politicians and society will have to consider what protecting the herd is worth to them, ie who will bear the cost of all this – I’m curious.”
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
