Two attacks occurred in Ruages, a town north of Corbigny, Monday November 18 and Tuesday November 19. Four sheep were killed. Wednesday, November 20 afternoon, technicians from the OFB came to carry out usage reports.
A new attack by a wolf occurred during the night of Tuesday November 19 to Wednesday November 20 in Ruages in the hamlet of Le Maréchal on plots belonging to a farmer from Anthien, Xavier Charpentier. It would follow another attack committed nearby during the night from Monday to Tuesday.
Four sheep carcasses
The sub-prefect of Clamecy, Enguerran Robas, in charge of the wolf file at the departmental level, visited the site on Wednesday November 20, as did the deputy (RN) of the constituency, Julien Guibert. They were able to witness the findings made by the French Biodiversity Office (OFB).
“I visually noted the presence of four sheep carcasses. Five sheep were sewn up by the veterinarian,” indicates Julien Guibert.
This Thursday morning the wolf was reportedly seen in Pouques-Lormes.
Less than 100 meters from the first home
In Ruages, the attack occurred less than 100 meters from the first homes.
“The four carcasses observed were in two different meadows, at different distances since the wolf attacked on two consecutive nights. But the closest carcass was located around 80 meters from the house. We were really at the edge of the hamlet. For the others, it was about three minutes on foot,” underlines the MP.
“I was also called this Thursday morning by a hunter who saw it in the distance. This corresponds to its geographical area and it means that for the third night in a row the wolf would have tried to predate.”
The OFB which carried out the findings in Ruages spoke of suspicion, without confirming whether it was a wolf or a large dog. But for the RN deputy, the absence of regular DNA tests carried out in the vast majority of cases on carcasses, due to lack of resources, would contribute to maintaining uncertainty. “However, we know that a wolf went back north after the attack in Sainte-Parize-le-Châtel,” he said again.
The mayor of Ruages, Pierre Landurier, who was absent from his home yesterday, confirmed having received an email from the OFB and declined to comment pending more precise information.
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A cow killed in Magny-Cours, the wolf suspected
A subject of anger for farmers
On roundabouts, the problem of attacks was again raised by farmers on Wednesday morning, particularly in Clamecy. They spoke of an untenable situation. Are we dealing with sedentary wolves in the department or even the formation of packs in progress?
Several testimonies have reported the new presence of cubs.
The Loup prefect at the national level, Jean-Paul Celet, visited Nièvre last week. The attacks on cattle were discussed with farmers. In Magny-Cours a cow was recently killed. However, the devices to effectively protect cattle are seriously lacking according to farmers.
premium “I am not here to protect the wolf,” assures Jean-Paul Célet, prefect responsible for lupine management.
In two and a half months, there would have been around 300 sheep affected in the department, which would have resulted in no less than €100,000 in compensation, says MP Julien Guibert.
“A worrying situation” for sub-prefect Robas
The sub-prefect of Clamecy, Enguerran Robas, in charge of the Loup file, went to Ruages on Wednesday:
“Following my arrival in the department and as part of my departmental mission on the wolf subject, I spoke at length with the agricultural world on the point of demonstration yesterday in Clamecy, in particular with the representatives of the FDSEA and the Young Farmers .
A few minutes after my departure, I learned of the incident in Anthien (Ruages, Editor's note) and I therefore immediately took the initiative to go there to speak with the operator and take a concrete look at the damage ( this operator had suffered predation the day before as well!).
In the presence of the FDSEA and MP Guibert, we were able to observe the expert work of the OFB, which could be informative and educational for everyone.
Enguerran Robas becomes the new sub-prefect of Clamecy
The farm was not equipped with any means of protection. However, as the situation is particularly worrying, I am doing as quickly as possible to meet the stakeholders concerned and discover the local and concrete issues, in order, under the authority of Madam Prefect, to provide concrete responses to legitimate concerns. This was the purpose of my visit: to listen, to understand, to observe in order to act.”
Christophe Belhomme
