LTO Noord will organize ‘wolf safaris’ this autumn in which people can see the consequences of the wolf in the Netherlands. Interested parties receive a phone call about new wolf attacks, after which they are put in touch with “farmers who had to experience how their animals were killed”, according to LTO.
A veterinarian is present during the excursion to explain what the animals experience during a wolf attack. In a statement, the agricultural and horticultural organization reports that children are not advised to come. “Unfortunately, these safaris are only suitable for people with a strong stomach.”
By setting up the safari, LTO wants to offer an alternative to the wolf excursion that Natuurmonumenten organizes on the Dwingelderveld. LTO Noord chairman Dirk Bruins expressed his dissatisfaction about this on Twitter. “This is a slap in the face to people who saw their animals lost and killed,” he says.
It is no secret that LTO is opposed to the wolf in the Netherlands. In August, the interest group for farmers and horticulturists came up with a plan to designate specific areas where the wolf can stay. Yesterday it was announced that the wolf killed at least 32 animals in Drenthe. This means that our province has the highest number of reports of fatal attacks by wolves in the Netherlands.
The presence of the animal has been causing unrest in Drenthe for some time. For example, a meeting about the wolf in the Dwingelderveld visitor center was canceled last Sunday. According to Natuurmonumenten, reports on social media showed that a group of people wanted to protest against the wolf. The tone of these messages was intimidating and threatening, according to the organization. During the meeting, director Cees van Kempen would talk about the nature film Wolf that he recently released. The film is about the return of the wolf to the Netherlands.