Provinces can more quickly give permission to shoot a wolf that attacks people. That is one of the measures that State Secretary Silvio Erkens (VVD) is taking against the wolf.
It is not yet known how the province of Drenthe will implement the measures taken by the State Secretary.
Provinces can prepare this reduction permit. “So that you don’t need weeks to get a permit, which puts other people at risk,” the State Secretary says after the cabinet meeting.
It has previously been agreed in Europe that the wolf has a lower protection status. This means that these types of measures are now possible.
Erkens has had a definition drawn up for what a problem wolf is. “Think of a wolf that has jumped over a wolf-resistant fence several times, livestock should actually be protected as a result. Or if a wolf is seen twice at a school or a playground and thus poses a danger to children.”
Provinces may also give permission to deter the wolf with a paintball gun or rubber bullets. Private individuals such as farmers are allowed to scare away the wolf with light and sound, but no permit is required for this.
Last month, the province of Drenthe raised the alarm with State Secretary Erkens about tackling problem wolves. The province indicated that it wanted to be able to act within 24 hours. This involves deterring, scaring, chasing away or shooting dead.
The Provincial Executive took as an example the wolf that walked with a walker on the Dwingelderveld and a wolf that bothered people with a dog.
