Jon Clarke (Publisher & Editor)By Wendy Williams
MADRID is set to bring in a new law to give cash to farmers whose animals are being killed by wolves in the region.
The Iberian wolf, hunted almost to extinction in the 1970s, has returned to the mountains of Madrid.
Farmers are calling for action to be taken to protect their livelihood or, they say, they will be forced to hunt the wolves again.
In recent months, there have been more wolf-sightings in the Somosierra Mountains bordering the provinces of Segovia and Guadalajara.
And reports last year of a dead wolf being found on the A1 motorway was the first sighting of a wolf in Madrid for 40 years.
But now the packs are spreading from Zamora and Galicia – where there are approximately 1,500 to 2,000 wolves – and moving further south.
According to reports, farmers could get as much as 500 euros for the death of a sheep or goat, 750 euros for a horse and 1000 for cattle.
Amazing story. It is good to see natural predators return to their natural habitat.
Whats needed now is probably an educational program to explain to people about the wolves and their interaction with people.
I have seen a pack in action in Poland with a sheep and its not a pleasent sight but it is a natural one.
rural and urban people need to know this happens.
We need to learn how to build links with our wilder kin.We are supposed to be clever. We can find ways of mutual sustainability. Wolves have long been associated with civilization…………..Romulus and Remus, who were brought up by wolves.
At local and grass roots people can interface with respect.
Ordinary people really we do hold the key
Being from a tropical country like the Philippines where wolves don’t exist. I am totally fascinated with stories about them. In most stories i’ve heard about them, they’re pictured as despicable, villainous and ravenous animals not to be adored but should rather be villified and hunted down to extinction. I hope wolves’ population flourish and people will devise ways that these fascinating creatures remain protected. I might sound clueless and naive about the ferocity and savagery these creatures have been known for, but they all have the right to exist nonetheless. Spain is one lucky country to have been blessed with diverse and rich biodiversity. Let’s just learn how to coexist with these enchanting creatures. Please let them thrive.