Three attacks on flocks of sheep have been recorded north of Cholet (Maine-et-Loire) over the last 20 days, reports France 3 Pays de la Loire in an article published this Saturday, December 7. These facts raise the question of the return of the wolf to Anjou. “The hypothesis of predation by wolves is not excluded, although it cannot be confirmed at this stage”indicated the prefecture while the French Biodiversity Office (OFB) is carrying out an investigation to try to confirm or not the presence of the animal in the area.
The prefecture requests to be classified in risk areas
At the same time, the Berne Convention validated on December 3 the modification of the status of the wolf, moving it from“strictly protected species” has “protected”. This decision, validated by 49 European states, should come into force in three months, unless opposed. It aims to better protect herds, but the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has criticized this initiative.
In Maine-et-Loire, the prefecture has asked to be part of the areas eligible for aid for the protection of farms and herds against wolf predation. This classification would make it possible to obtain state funding for “first preventive measures for the benefit of breeders”.
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