Wolf attacks in Flanders spark political row over protection status
A wolf pack in the Belgian province of Limburg has reignited the debate surrounding the protection of the species after nine ponies were killed in recent weeks. These attacks have prompted politicians, farmers, and those in the horse industry to call for a review of current legislation.
Led by the female wolf Noëlla, the pack had largely disappeared from view after her mate August was killed in a traffic accident in 2023, with no cubs born last year. However, this spring Noëlla produced a litter with her new partner, Maurice, and since then the wolves have resumed hunting across the region’s fields.
Experts say that ponies are particularly vulnerable prey as they are small enough to be overpowered and are defenceless and easily accessible in fenced paddocks. They are therefore a natural target at a time when wolf cubs need large amounts of meat.
A high price to pay
In response to the attacks, Flemish Animal Welfare minister Ben Weyts (N-VA) told news agency Belga, "I really don’t find it self-evident that the life of a wolf should be considered so much more important than the lives of ponies, sheep and goats. At a certain point, from an animal welfare perspective, you also have to dare to say that the price of protecting one species is too high, because far too many other animals are paying that price with their lives."
Flemish Environment minister Jo Brouns (CD&V) has called a crisis meeting with local authorities on Thursday. Proposals include the rapid deployment of temporary 'crisis fences' in areas where wolves have been active and the promotion of permanent wolf-repellent enclosures.
Rural safety
The renewed debate has attracted the attention of several interest groups. The Landelijke Beweging, which represents Flemish farmers, has warned of rising insecurity and accused rural residents of being blamed unfairly for not installing wolf-repellent fencing. "If wolves are allowed back into society, then the safety of rural residents must also be guaranteed, as they have just as much right to keep livestock," the group said.
However, conservation organisations, including the Flemish Agency for Nature and Forests and the NGO Welkom Wolf, argue that properly installed electric fencing - subsidised by the Flemish government - remains the most effective defence. They note that incidents are rare where such barriers are in place.
Meanwhile, the equestrian organisation Paardenpunt Vlaanderen has reiterated its call for pasture shelters to be fully enclosed, maintaining that doing so would offer genuine protection at no extra cost.
The wolf's protected status in Flanders is clearly under discussion. At the EU level, member states have been asked to reconsider their approach after Brussels proposed downgrading the species' status from 'strictly protected' to 'protected'. Along with Portugal, Poland and the Czech Republic, Belgium has pledged to maintain stricter safeguards under the Habitats Directive. Nevertheless, the proposal to lower wolf protection has been criticised for lacking a robust legal and scientific basis and is currently being challenged in the European Court of Justice.
#FlandersNewsService | © ARTERRA
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