NRW Minister Anticipates Wolf Cull Order Soon
Environment Minister Oliver Krischer of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) expects the necessary decree for the elimination of the problematic wolf, nicknamed "Gloria," to be issued shortly. Krischer shared this update during a session in the state parliament's environment committee. The district of Wesel, where the Schermbeck wolf territory falls within its jurisdiction, is responsible for the situation.
The Green politician claimed that recent livestock kills were genetically verified on October 20, 21, and 24. In Krischer's view, the conditions required by the wolf ordinance for the removal of the animal were subsequently met. The state provided extensive assistance to Wesel in assessing the economic damage caused by the wolf.
The famous she-wolf "Gloria" has purportedly killed numerous livestock over several years, including a large number of sheep and a pony.
Despite this, nature conservation associations oppose the idea of culling the wolf at the present time. According to NRW wolf areas, comprehensive herd protection (comprehensive livestock fencing) is still a long way off. The organizations of Nabu, BUND, and the Landesgemeinschaft Naturschutz und Umwelt (LNU) emphasized in a joint statement on Tuesday that the shooting of strictly protected wolves should not be considered so long as there are no protective fences.
Last week, the district of Wesel underlined that a possible cull must be thoroughly evaluated and executed in a legally secure manner. An attempt by a shepherd to shoot the she-wolf had already been unsuccessful before the Düsseldorf Administrative Court in 2021. The district emphasized that the review process had not been completed, and any questions regarding it could only be addressed once the review was finalized.
Currently, NRW is preparing a new decree to make it easier to shoot wolves. The decree specifies that genetically identified wolves may be shot if they have climbed over intact protective fences at least twice in close temporal proximity and killed animals. The consultation period for this decree ended on November 19, and Krischer announced at the committee meeting that it would be enacted "shortly."
Environmental organizations, like Nabu, BUND, and the LNU, advocate for comprehensive livestock fencing as an alternative to wolf culling in NRW. They argue that the current wolf areas are not fully protected. In response, the newly proposed environmental policy in NRW includes a decree that allows genetically identified wolves to be shot if they have crossed intact protective fences multiple times and killed animals, which is expected to be enacted soon.
Sources:
Insights
The ongoing debate regarding wolf management in NRW, Germany, is not without controversy. Various factors have contributed to the current situation, including legal challenges, public opinion, and activism from environmental groups.
Legal challenges have arisen due to rulings from the European Court of Justice, specifically in the case of Wolf 158 MATK in Tirol, Austria. This ruling set a precedent for stricter culling decisions in the future.
National regulations like the Act on the Restriction of the Movement or Import of Dangerous Dogs and wolf protection laws have played a role, but have been challenged by certain groups.
Controversies surrounding wolf culling are not limited to legal debates; they also involve public opposition and the actions of environmental organizations. The case of "Gloria" from Wesel has generated significant public attention.
WWF and Naturschutzbund have been particularly active in opposing wolf culling. They have filed appeals and worked to raise public awareness about the issue, leading to increased scrutiny and stricter legal standards.
Documentation and monitoring of wolf populations remain crucial in understanding the impact of culling practices, though efforts to do so are often hampered by hunters who do not want to report the presence of wolves in certain areas.
