Wildlife – For the first time in the department, the Ardennes prefecture has authorized a breeder to shoot wolves in the event of an attack on his herd, in Briquenay
The prefect’s order, dated September 2, authorizes a breeder residing in Briquenay (Ardennes), to carry out defensive shootings against wolves, according to our colleagues at The Ardennes.
In its order, the prefecture justifies its historic decision, since it is the first in the department. It explains that there is “a significant risk of damage to the herd” in the breeder’s farm.
Farmer’s herd attacked repeatedly
With this order, the prefect responds positively to the breeder’s request. The latter has been the victim of attacks on his herds on numerous occasions in recent months. According to Thierry Huet, the president of the FDSEA 08, interviewed by L’Union et The Ardennesthis breeder was reportedly the target of eight wolf attacks in three months.
The prefecture, for its part, has recorded “four reports of damage”: during the months of May, July and August. However, the authorities have not formally established that these attacks were the work of wolves, without however ruling out this hypothesis.
With the prefecture’s decree, only the breeder can shoot wolves – a protected species – in the event of an attack. This practice is highly regulated. By(…) - 20minutes
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