Wolves Attack Sheep Flock at Syrjäla Farm in Tammela, Finland

Wolves have once again attacked a sheep flock at the Syrjäla sheep farm in Tammela, located in southern Finland’s Kanta-Häme region. On the morning of October 26, 11 dead sheep were discovered in the pasture, and an additional five had to be euthanized. This marks the third wolf attack on Syrjäla’s sheep in a couple of months, following an incident earlier in the fall of 2023 that resulted in over 30 sheep being killed or euthanized.

Agricultural entrepreneur Katja Syrjäla reported that all surviving sheep have been brought inside, although a few are still missing, prompting ongoing search efforts. Over the current grazing season, more than 30 sheep have been lost. Syrjäla’s farm typically grazes up to 1,000 sheep during the summer months.

The measures to protect sheep from wolves are limited, according to wildlife expert Mari Lyly, who is involved in the SusiLIFE project. She emphasizes that the focus is on preventive measures rather than hunting wolves, which she describes as a political issue often considered only after damage has occurred. The South Häme region’s game manager, Henri Mutanen, acknowledged that preventing sheep attacks is challenging given the size of the grazing areas and the number of sheep. Although protective fencing has been ordered, it is costly and not quick to implement.

Wolves are reportedly on the rise in Kanta-Häme and across Finland, complicating matters for sheep farmers. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry notes that capturing wolves is difficult and that hunting permits typically last only a month. Damage compensation for large predator attacks is available, with payments based on the valuation set by the Finnish Sheep Association. In the last few years, the number of sheep affected by wolf attacks has increased, highlighting the ongoing conflict between livestock farming and wildlife management.