Farmers in Norway raise alarm over wolf attacks on livestock in Vennesla and surrounding areas

Farmers in Norway are expressing growing concern over the issue of wolf attacks on livestock, particularly sheep. Kåre Blålid, the leader of Aust-Agder Sau og Geit, highlighted the urgent need for the State Governor to extend the permit for lethal action against the wolf, which they have denied, stating: “It seems a tragedy must occur before anything is done about this. This is tragic and dramatic.” He fears that mass killings of sheep could happen if immediate precautions are not taken.

Blålid is urging sheep farmers in the areas of Vennesla, Iveland, and Evje to be extra vigilant in the coming days. Recent reports confirmed that a wolf was spotted on a wildlife camera in Vennesla, sparking alarm among local herders.

In previous incidents this fall, several sheep were killed and injured by wolves in Åmli. A permit was granted for the lethal removal of one wolf in that area, which included several municipalities, but the wolf was not captured before the permit expired on September 24th. A fecal sample from the wolf revealed it was a male that had migrated from Sweden.

Knut Berg, the assistant state governor, affirmed that lethal permits can only be issued if the wolf in question has previously harmed livestock. “It has been nearly three weeks since the last recorded attack on sheep by wolves,” he stated, acknowledging the frustration of the farmers but reiterating the regulations governing such permits.