The wolf never stops talking about him in Maine-et-Loire. In November 2024, analyzes of a tooth, recovered from the corpse of a “big canine” discovered in 2021 in the Mauges, carried out by a Belgian laboratory, confirmed the presence of the wolf in Anjou.
Read also: Discovered in Anjou, a wolf was hiding behind this “large canid”, confirms a Belgian laboratory
Results that have not been validated by the French Biodiversity Office (OFB), which has launched its own expertise. If, for the moment, the presence of the wolf in Anjou is not confirmed, the events of recent days could change the situation.
The OFB “intensifies its research”
According to the prefecture, in the last twenty days, three attacks on flocks of sheep have been reported in the northern sector of Cholet. Expertise was carried out by the French Biodiversity Office to determine whether these were attacks perpetrated by wolves. In the first two cases, this avenue was ruled out. On the other hand, “the latest expertise carried out by the OFB indicates that the hypothesis of predation by wolves is not excluded, although it cannot be confirmed at this stage”, indicates the prefecture, which specifies that the expert report will also be sent to the breeder concerned.
“Preventive measures”
The OFB, for its part, is continuing its investigation in “intensifying its searches in the area in question, in order to collect new clues. This investigation includes in particular the search for genetic materials such as hairs or excrement which would make it possible to refine the analysis. »
In its press release, the prefecture recalls that, as part of the National Action Plan (PNA) “Wolf and breeding activities” for the period 2024-2029, the prefect, Philippe Chopin, “brought together all the stakeholders on May 31 in a wolf monitoring unit. In accordance with the opinion of this cell, he initiated the classification of the department in circle 3, so that it would be effective on 1is January 2025, thus making it possible to mobilize initial preventive measures for the benefit of breeders. »
