The hunting of game in the Veluwe does not have to be stopped. This was determined by the preliminary relief judge today. The Fauna Protection asked the court to look into this because wolves might be bothered by hunting their food.
After seven (or actually eight) fat years, wild boars in particular have reproduced explosively. And so almost 9000 must be shot until the end of this winter, according to the Fauna Management Unit (FBE). Plus also 700 fallow deer and 3000 red deer. But, says the Fauna Protection, the presence of the wolf has not been taken into account at all in that calculation. And so they were asked to stop the hunt until scientific research has been done.
Because there is a lot of uncertainty about that. Since the first wolf settled here three years ago, those involved have been learning almost every day. Partly because the knowledge from Dutch practice is lacking, the Fauna Protection believes that wolves’ prey animals should no longer be hunted until there is more clarity.
Exemption
The province of Gelderland already granted an exemption in 2019 that justifies the shooting of big game in the Veluwe. Every year, the Fauna Management Unit (FBE) calculates how many animals have to die in order to reach the desired target level; the number of animals that the area could handle. “The interests of the FBE are in conflict with those of the wolf,” said vice-chairman Harm Niesen of the Fauna Protection during the hearing of the case in Utrecht in mid-December. “Only wolves can determine what the target score should be.”
