Flemish Minister of Nature Zuhal Demir (N-VA) extends the hunting ban in the wolf area until the end of August. That ban normally expired at the end of June, but now that Noëlla has given birth to four cubs, the minister wants to extend the ban until August 31.
–
In mid-March, when it became known that she-wolf was pregnant, Minister Demir issued a ban on hunting in three zones from the core area of the wolf territory: the military domains of Leopoldsburg and Oudbergen-Helchteren, as well as the domain forest Pijnven.
That ban normally expired at the end of June, but now that there is a pack with four wolf cubs, the minister wants to extend the protection. “Giving up protection now would be a shame. In the event of disturbance, the parents move the cubs to other places, which requires extra energy and entails risks of collisions. The setting of a rest zone is absolutely desirable. It also allows the scientific work of Nature and Forest and the Institute for Nature and Forest Research (Inbo) to be continued, ‘said the minister on Wednesday in the Flemish Parliament to questions from Lode Ceyssens (CD&V), Piet De Bruyn ( N-VA) and Steven Coenegrachts (Open VLD).
Hunters’ associations have been requesting a lifting of the hunting ban for some time. They referred to the nuisance that wild boars cause in the surrounding areas. However, according to Minister Demir, scientific research shows that hunting wild boars in such large natural centers has the opposite effect in summer. ‘Hunting in the natural centers in the summer period pushes the hunting game to the edges where they potentially damage the now very vulnerable agricultural crops. Installing an increased hunting pressure in the marginal zones so that the animals do not tend to emerge from the natural cores in the summer period can avoid a lot of damage, ‘it says.
In the meantime, some farmers are growing concerns about the potential danger of the wolf to their animals. Minister Demir understands this concern. She points out that farmers can make use of grants for grids and that damage to animals is always compensated.
There are also cattle and horse keepers who are concerned. Because attacks on horses and cattle are extremely rare, wolf-resistant fencing for those animals does not fall under the Flemish subsidy scheme. ‘We have assumed the limited damage in large livestock. We need to use resources well and efficiently, ”Demir notes. Those who have an expensive horse are advised by the minister to provide the necessary protective fencing themselves. “If you have an expensive horse, you should not hesitate to place a fence. Anyone who can afford such a horse can also afford such a fence. “
– .
