Norway plans to cull more than two-thirds of its wolf population

[dude1984]

Norway is planning to cull more than two-thirds of its remaining wolves in a step that environmental groups say will be disastrous for the dwindling members of the species in the wild.

There are estimated to be about 68 wolves remaining in the wilderness areas of Norway, concentrated in the south-east of the country, but under controversial plans approved on Friday as many as 47 of these will be shot.

https://www.theguardian.com/environm...onment-protest

[Speleothem]

Europe has about 12000 wolves.
Over 2000 in Spain.
Norway can only handle 21?
Why don't they just kill em all.

[boxus]

There are over 200,000 sheep in Norway, yet the flock is at risk from a few dozen wolves? Typical overreaction, like here in the US; a few cows get killed by wolves, and then they want the entire wolf population exterminated. It is like people cannot accept the fact some livestock may get killed, and that is part of the risk of doing business, better yet, not commit to the resources to protect the livestock (other than exterminating predators that is).

[Unsettomati]

Originally Posted by boxus

There are over 200,000 sheep in Norway, yet the flock is at risk from a few dozen wolves? Typical overreaction, like here in the US; a few cows get killed by wolves, and then they want the entire wolf population exterminated. It is like people cannot accept the fact some livestock may get killed, and that is part of the risk of doing business, better yet, not commit to the resources to protect the livestock (other than exterminating predators that is).

Despite the fact that deer - by putting themselves in front of cars- do vastly more damage than wolves (billions of dollars and well over 100 people killed, per year in the United States).
Car and Deer Collisions Cause 200 Deaths, Cost $4 Billion a Year

And... what animals efficiently cull deer populations? That's right. Wolves. (and, no - hunters after trophy racks do not efficiently and healthily cull deer herds the way wolves after the weakest and easiest prey do) And yet deer populations are kept abnormally high - to provide plenty of recreation for hunters. And all that damage and the people they kill? No big deal. But a wolf eats a lamb and suddenly it's the end of the world...

[jbgusa]

Originally Posted by boxus

There are over 200,000 sheep in Norway, yet the flock is at risk from a few dozen wolves? Typical overreaction, like here in the US; a few cows get killed by wolves, and then they want the entire wolf population exterminated. It is like people cannot accept the fact some livestock may get killed, and that is part of the risk of doing business, better yet, not commit to the resources to protect the livestock (other than exterminating predators that is).

Why not do as they've done in the Rockies; establish a compensation fund for ranchers? After wolves were exterminated elk basically ruined Yellowstone. Thus their restoration. Do we have to repeat failed policies such as predator control?

I think it's enough to harass the wolves so they don't lose their fear of man.

[cmptrwlt]

Originally Posted by boxus

There are over 200,000 sheep in Norway, yet the flock is at risk from a few dozen wolves? Typical overreaction, like here in the US; a few cows get killed by wolves, and then they want the entire wolf population exterminated. It is like people cannot accept the fact some livestock may get killed, and that is part of the risk of doing business, better yet, not commit to the resources to protect the livestock (other than exterminating predators that is).

It is actually more than a few animals. 20,200 sheep were killed by wolves, wolverines, lynx and golden eagles last year.

[boxus]

Goodness, I was incorrect, there are around 2 million sheep in Norway.

Some interesting reading;

http://www.bioforsk.no/ikbViewer/Con...n%20Norway.pdf

Originally Posted by cmptrwlt

It is actually more than a few animals. 20,200 sheep were killed by wolves, wolverines, lynx and golden eagles last year.

The article below states 20,000 died due to predators, and only 8% are attributed to wolves.

https://www.theguardian.com/environm...nservationists

And from the article, it seems there is an issue with sheep type and roaming range shifts, and that Norwegian herders do not protect their sheep like Swedish herders do. But the article did not offer enough information for any conclusions.