Sheep farmer Stijn Timmermans from Esbeek probably loses sheep for the second time this year after a visit from a wolf. “There is little left of one sheep. Another sheep is still alive, but seriously injured. Five sheep are walking around with wounds around the neck, but they will survive.”
It also happened last February. Then he lost four sheep to an attack by a wolf. He now recognizes the signs of the wolf attacking sheep. “This was not a dog. They all have wounds on the neck. That is real wolf behavior.” Samples will be taken from the sheep on Thursday afternoon to determine with certainty whether this is the work of the wolf.
The sad thing is that in recent months the wolf seemed to have disappeared in Brabant. In the summer there was not a single report from Brabant. And while last year there were 33 attacks in the first seven months, this year that number remained at 13. This is evident from figures from BIJ12, the organization that keeps track of the number of wolf attacks. Stijn and his herd in Esbeek therefore have a significant share in the figures this year.
The wolf is mainly seen in the Veluwe, in Gelderland and Drenthe. Although the wolf has remained quiet in Brabant this year, resistance against the wolf has only grown. According to research by the ANP, more and more Brabanders believe that the wolf does not belong here: 37 percent. Even more people think that the animal is welcome here: 40.2 percent.
Bloody sheep
On Thursday morning, Stijn received a report that a sheep had jumped over the fence. “I brought the animal back and didn’t notice much,” says Stijn. “Later I received a call from someone who said there were a number of sheep walking around in the meadow with blood spots on them. I went to have a look and I immediately saw that my flock had been attacked.”
In daily life, Stijn is a pig farmer. “I got my first sheep when I was ten. It’s a hobby. Yesterday I had twenty sheep. Now nineteen and the vet is coming soon and I’m afraid he’s going to make it eighteen. It’s fun this way.” a little bit. I’m going to think again about whether I want to continue with this.”
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