Since the return of wolves to Flanders in 2018, the Agency for Nature and Forests (ANB) has already opened 243 compensation files for confirmed wolf attacks on livestock, Gazet van Antwerpen reports.
A wolf attack on a human, as happened on Sunday in the Netherlands, has not yet occurred in Flanders. But since 2018, the ANB has treated 312 total compensation claims for alleged wolf attacks on livestock. In 243 cases, experts were able to confirm that a wolf was indeed involved.
In almost all cases, the livestock owners did not have a proper fence to stop the wolves, or the power supply to an electric fence had been cut off.
Flanders (Belgium)!!! #wolves #wildlife https://t.co/ihZPe3IxJ7
— Dr Elena Nalon (@ElenaNalon) September 19, 2020
However, according to figures from the ANB, 493 private breeders have already requested a subsidy for anti-wolf fences, for a total amount of more than €1 million. Grant recipients will be reimbursed for 90% of the materials purchased.
