New owner of controversial rewilding project criticises animal welfare conditions

The Hempel Foundation has taken over ownership of the Mols Laboratory rewilding project from Aarhus Natural History Museum, condemning the “unacceptable” condition of the wild ponies and cattle used to promote biodiversity.

The foundation’s senior biologist and new site manager, Thor Hjarsen, stated that the animals—32 Exmoor ponies and 12 Galloway cattle—were in poor health after an “extraordinarily long and cold winter,” during which the previous owner allegedly failed to intervene in time.

“They simply need more food, and we will provide it,” Hjarsen said, adding that the foundation’s veterinarian had raised concerns about the animals’ current state.

The rewilding project, running for over a decade under the museum’s management, relies on free-grazing animals to maintain biodiversity by naturally controlling vegetation. However, the foundation has now implemented an emergency action plan to prevent the animals from being euthanised, including expanded feeding and daily veterinary monitoring.

Nine-point welfare plan
To address the welfare issues, the Hempel Foundation outlined a series of measures, including:
– Ensuring sufficient year-round feeding to maintain acceptable body condition.
– Setting clear veterinary thresholds for body condition, with heightened monitoring for at-risk animals.
– Expanding grazing areas to increase food availability.
– Conducting daily inspections using modern equipment.
– Increasing veterinary oversight beyond legal requirements, including partnerships with new local veterinarians.
– Introducing new genetic lines to prevent inbreeding and support animal health.
– Enforcing bans on unauthorised feeding, with police reports and compensation claims for violations.
– Prosecuting any obstruction of staff, veterinarians, or experts.

The project has long faced opposition from animal activists, who have illegally fed the animals for years. Police in East Jutland reported spending over 600 hours since 2023 handling complaints from both activists—alleging animal neglect—and the museum, which reported unauthorised feeding, harassment, and vandalism.

Aarhus Natural History Museum began supplementary feeding last week, citing delayed grass growth due to the cold spring. Six animals were also stabled following a food safety inspection. The museum’s director, Bo Skaarup, declined an interview but confirmed the temporary feeding in a written statement to DR News.

When asked whether the foundation had a legal obligation to report the previous conditions to authorities, Hjarsen responded: “There is no obligation if you act on it. We are acting on it—feeding the animals and caring for them.”