ANPLupo
In collaboration with
Omroep Gelderland
NOS Nieuws·vandaag, 12.12
The province of Gelderland is allowed to shoot paint at a wolf displaying problematic behavior, the Central Netherlands court has ruled.
Twice the province was rejected by the court because the plan was “poorly motivated.” But after research from a wolf behavior expert, the province can now use the paintball gun, the court has ruled.
The plan to shoot a wolf with paintballs originated in De Hoge Veluwe National Park. According to the managers and the province, at least one wolf was wandering nearby and was showing problematic behavior and could become dangerous to humans. The administrators wanted to scare the wolf with a paintball gun, but Faunabescherming objected and also initiated several lawsuits.
Fauna Protection stressed that throughout the European Union the wolf is strictly protected and must therefore not be disturbed in any way. The province also allegedly did not consult an independent wolf expert and did not determine whether a wolf problem existed. Possible alternatives to the paintball gun have also not been sufficiently studied, according to Faunabescherming.
Cheeky wolf
Twice the court followed Faunabescherming’s reasoning, but now the province has spoken to an expert on wolf behavior. He observed a wolf in De Hoge Veluwe Park fourteen times and concluded that there are one or more wolves walking around that exhibit deviant behavior. You can see, for example, a she-wolf who lets photographers approach her, but also searches for cyclists and pedestrians herself and becomes more and more daring. According to the expert, the animal could also bite and this would constitute a serious danger to public safety.
The court agrees with the province that deterrence with a paintball gun is the best option. There have been positive experiences abroad and the alternatives do not work or are not safe. “Deterring the wolf by striking and/or shouting is too light and has a short-term effect. Pepper spray can cause eye damage,” the court said in its ruling. If the paintball gun is used correctly and not pointed at your eyes, it is safe.
Omroep Gelderland now reports that the she-wolf referred to by the expert is probably no longer alive. It is suspected that the animal was found dead late last year.
2024-01-24 11:12:25
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