Sheep farmers can receive a subsidy for wolf-resistant fences, but they also have to pay part of the costs themselves. “That simply costs a lot of money and previously it did not seem necessary. I have had them behind three power wires for ten years,” says Jobing.
But times have changed in the area, warns wolf consultant Mekel. He hopes that sheep farmers in the region who have not yet taken measures will start doing so soon. This may help prevent future wolf attacks.
“A farmer next to Jobing’s pasture already has a wolf-resistant grid with cameras. In the images we see that the wolves walk around it in a wide arc, instead of trying to get in. They have to learn that they don’t want anything there. have to look for,” says the wolf consultant.
Both Jobing and the anonymous sheep farmer have now placed such a wolf-resistant fence around their sheep, although they both wonder whether it will help. “It looks nice,” says Jobing, as he looks at his fence around a meadow in Westdorp, “but I’m curious whether it makes sense.” The grid at Jobing was paid for and installed by the province. The anonymous sheep farmer also received help from the province in installing the grid.
The dead sheep are currently still reimbursed by the province, but that may change in the future. The province is considering only providing compensation to farmers who have a wolf-resistant fence around their pasture.
It is extra complicated for the anonymous farmer to install a special fence. He lets his animals graze in nature reserves and therefore has to place his wolf grid somewhere else every time.
“I have part of the herd within a wolf-resistant grid, but my wallet is not that big. From March you can get a subsidy for wool-resistant grids again, but I have to advance this myself first. This is a new blow, especially after bluetongue. I’m on the verge of quitting, because there’s no point in this anymore.”
*The name of the anonymous sheep farmer is known to the editors.