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Dresden (dpa / sn) - To protect sheep, goats and horses, farming associations in Saxony are calling for stricter action against wolves.

The predators have now multiplied in the Free State to such an extent that they are no longer threatened with extinction, said Wilhelm Bernstein, Vice President of the State Hunting Association, on Thursday.

That is why the number of wolves must be limited.

"It must be possible to remove wolves, not just the critical ones," said Bernstein.

Removal means the shooting of animals.

The fears about the wolf are great among the grazing animal owners, said Regina Walther from the Sheep and Goat Breeders Association. The wolf is a success for nature conservation. "It's a lot of work, a lot of suffering for the grazing animal keepers." Protecting the herds from the wolves, for example with electric fences or guard dogs, is extremely costly. The association rejects "the unlimited freedom of the wolf". A regulation of the stock is absolutely necessary.

A total of six associations, including the state farmers' association, support the demand for a different approach to the wolf.

The protection status of the animals must be changed, said Gunther Zschommler, vice president of the farmers' association.

Instead of the highest category of the “strictly protected species”, the wolf should only be considered a “protected species”.

In addition, rules for “consistent and practical extraction” should be found in Saxony.

In addition, animal owners would have to be reimbursed for the high costs of protective measures, and compensation for livestock killed would also have to be made easier.

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The spread of wolves is monitored in Saxony.

A biological wolf year is measured, which begins on May 1st and ends on April 30th.

In 2019/20, according to the Wolf department at the State Environment Agency, there were 28 packs and 3 pairs.

Final figures for the monitoring year 2020/21 are not yet available.

In Germany, the federal counseling center for wolves is currently assuming 113 packs.

© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210422-99-309524 / 2

Federal advice center on wolf populations