Wolves used to run wild and free in France until the 1930's when they were completely eradicated. It wasn't until 1992 that an attempt was made to bring wolves back to France. At that time they were gradually reintroduced when a pair of Italian wolves was brought into the Mercantour National Park which is located on the Italian/French border.
Since that time, wolves have flourished in France living mostly in the French Alps although some can also be found in the central Massif range and also in the Pyrenees on the Spanish border. Official estimates currently have listed the number of wolves to be between 150 - 200. Since 1992, wolves have been under the protection of the government and there have only been 6 wolves that have been legally hunted since 1992. According to the current law in France, only 6 wolves a year can be hunted. Permits can only be issued if all other means to protect a flock or herd have been exhausted.
Although many people such as nature lovers and environmentalist are happy about the fact that the wolves are doing so well in France, that feeling is not shared by the livestock owners. So far this year there have been 66 attacks on flocks of sheep that have been attributed to wolves according to the livestock owners.
On Friday, July 22, an incident took place where a supposed lone wolf was responsible for the deaths of 72 sheep. 10 sheep were killed outright and 62 sheep in the flock panicked and went over a cliff. This incident was the straw that broke the camel's back and 347 herdsmen appealed to the government for a permit. After listening to exaggerated claims that "something must be done before "sheepherding is wiped out in France", the government issued a very rarely used permit to kill the wolf. Livestock owners have expressed a cautious feeling of revenge against the wolf as once again the battle between wolf and man plays out in France.
Since that time, wolves have flourished in France living mostly in the French Alps although some can also be found in the central Massif range and also in the Pyrenees on the Spanish border. Official estimates currently have listed the number of wolves to be between 150 - 200. Since 1992, wolves have been under the protection of the government and there have only been 6 wolves that have been legally hunted since 1992. According to the current law in France, only 6 wolves a year can be hunted. Permits can only be issued if all other means to protect a flock or herd have been exhausted.
Although many people such as nature lovers and environmentalist are happy about the fact that the wolves are doing so well in France, that feeling is not shared by the livestock owners. So far this year there have been 66 attacks on flocks of sheep that have been attributed to wolves according to the livestock owners.
On Friday, July 22, an incident took place where a supposed lone wolf was responsible for the deaths of 72 sheep. 10 sheep were killed outright and 62 sheep in the flock panicked and went over a cliff. This incident was the straw that broke the camel's back and 347 herdsmen appealed to the government for a permit. After listening to exaggerated claims that "something must be done before "sheepherding is wiped out in France", the government issued a very rarely used permit to kill the wolf. Livestock owners have expressed a cautious feeling of revenge against the wolf as once again the battle between wolf and man plays out in France.
DOES IT NEVER, NEVER END????????????????
We have invaded THEIR natural habitat and driven them out of it. They were here first. Instead of trying to annialate them, we need to try and capture and relocate them to somewhere more remote with plenty of natural resources for food, (i.e. wild game) not domestic livestock. We keep taking more and more of their natural habitat away by human development, where are they supposed to go??
Will animals & humans ever live in harmony on Earth again?
The most beautiful work of Mother Nature~ simply stunning!
I'll bet it was dogs that did the mass killing. That happens all the time here in the States.