The wolf that was chased away by a goat farmer in Unterweißenbach on December 5 must be “good” for two days before the danger of being placed on the hit list again is averted. A pilot project with wolves will start in Upper Austria in 2025.
Although the same Isegrim had been spotted a week earlier and again on December 12, it was not to be feared and therefore not classified as a risk wolf. As is known, the EU plans to weaken strict protection of wolves. And here Upper Austria wants to be one of the pioneers in providing reliable data on whether the wolf population is large enough and healthy.
35,000 euros per year
Together with Tyrol, Upper Austria will start a pilot project in the first half of 2025. “The costs per state and per year amount to approximately 35,000 euros,” says agricultural regional councilor Michaela Langer-Weninger. Most of the money is used for laboratory tests on solution or hair finds. The measures would be strongest along the borders with the Czech Republic and Lower Austria, where there are at least four packs.
Europaweites Wolf Monitoring
The goal is to make it easier to kill wolves, but that requires proving that the population is not in danger. For this purpose, monitoring and management of wolves should be established throughout Europe.
This year, nine risky and harmful wolves were shot across the country, five in Carinthia, two in Tyrol, one each in Salzburg and Vorarlberg. In Upper Austria, the last of the 159 wolf sightings or attacks reported this year occurred on December 23 in Leopoldschlag.
The debate about the return of wolves is very emotional. There are those for whom there cannot be enough Isegrims and who see removal as an absolute taboo. And then there are those who want to keep our country wolf-free and also approve of the famous ‘threes’ – shoot, shovel, shut up. So tolerate the illegal shooting.
The initiative to give the subject a solid scientific basis is to be welcomed. You can only argue with facts. And treat the wolf as he is: an animal in man-made nature.
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.
