Farmers in Fjord municipality declare wolverine situation a massacre as 650 lambs killed

Farmers in Fjord municipality on Sunnmøre are calling the situation with the wolverine a massacre. This year alone, the wolverine has claimed 650 lambs, according to industry counts. Alarmingly, the number of lambs taken in Fjord and neighboring Rauma is equal to the total killed across the entire country. Farmers are demanding permission to hunt more wolverines, as the population has drastically increased in recent years. The Minister of Agriculture has little in the way of concrete promises but acknowledges that there must be fewer wolverines in the area.

The sight of lambs frolicking in the fields is a springtime joy for many, but in Fjord municipality, it has turned into a nightmare. According to local farmers, the grazing season, typically the highlight of the year, has been overshadowed by tragedy. Kristin Gilje Sandnes, a wildlife manager, lamented the losses.

Christian Indreeide, a local sheep farmer, reported that of the 227 lambs he released into the mountains, 126 never returned. He expressed feelings of helplessness against the predation. “You feel entirely apathetic; there’s nothing you can do to stop it,” he said, stating he is 99% sure the wolverine was responsible for the losses.

In response to these alarming losses, farmers are calling for more wolverines to be culled. Despite the significant increase in wolverine births last year, the Minister of Agriculture, Geir Pollestad, met with farmers from Møre and Romsdal but did not provide any concrete measures to address their concerns.

For many farmers, quitting is not an option, but the stress of living with such losses is taking a toll on their health, with some facing mental health challenges. The struggle between livestock and wolverines continues to be a pressing issue in the region.