Updated on 19/11/2024
Created in Finistère in December 2022, following the first observations of the species, the departmental “wolf” committee met on November 19, 2024 at the headquarters of the Armorique au Faou Regional Natural Park. Chaired by the prefect, it is a forum for sharing information and debate in which breeders, nature protection associations, the Armorique Regional Natural Park and representatives of the agricultural profession participate. and state services. An inventory of the wolf population in Finistère was presented as well as the actions adopted to combat predation.
Uan increase in predation, particularly on cattle
The number of reports of damage to domestic animals continues to increase: 8 in 2022 (including 6 with a “wolf not excluded” conclusion), 60 in 2023 (including 25 “wolf not excluded”) and 80 in 2024 (including 34 “wolves not excluded”). wolf not excluded”) on November 13.
The year 2024 was also marked by the appearance of predation on cattle: wolves could be behind 7 attacks on young cattle since the start of the year.
In April 2023, genetic material (hair) was collected in the commune of Sizun and sent to the laboratory for analysis. The individual identified is a male wolf, of German or Polish lineage, the only DNA profile identified to date in the department, which does not mean, however, that there is not more than one wolf in the area. department.
Mimplementation of saliva analyzes on an experimental basis in the department of Finistère
The national action plan on wolves and breeding activities 2024-2029 does not plan to deploy genetic analyzes on saliva samples taken from prey. These analyzes could provide interesting information on colonization fronts where the lupine population is still low.
The prefect of Finistère proposed to the ministry in charge of ecology and to the prefect coordinating the wolf plan, that this technique could be implemented, on an experimental basis, in Finistère, like that implemented in the Ardennes. The objective is to be able to obtain a better genetic identification of the individual(s) present, to analyze their behavior(s) and to consolidate the counting of the lupine population in Finistère, without impacting the process of compensation for breeders.
Continuation of actions and mobilization of stakeholders
Administrative measures (“circle” orders) have been in force in the department since January 2023 to allow breeders to have access to aid for the protection of herds.
To take into account recent predations, the departmental “wolf” committee extends circle 1 from 10 to 18 municipalities and circle 2 from 66 to 82 municipalities for the year 2025, zonings which give right to support by the State protection spending.
State services organized training last July for the various agricultural and associative stakeholders mobilized on the subject. The objective is to develop advice to breeders on the protective measures that can be put in place to deal with predation.
Finally, as part of a national experiment, five farms in Finistère obtained subsidies to test the introduction of protection dogs into cattle herds.
The objective of the training and these experiments is to improve coexistence between wolves and farms in order to preserve wolves and reduce the impact on agricultural operations.
Alain Espinasse, prefect of Finistère, recalls the importance of continuing and strengthening the partnership work carried out within this departmental committee, a guarantee of transparency and guarantee of a peaceful climate necessary for the most constructive management of this issue. .
