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Fear of wolves grips Drenthe: I fear for my children and for myself

Mayors in Drenthe have issued an urgent plea to the Dutch government to manage the growing wolf population, citing increased fear among residents and safety concerns in residential areas. The officials propose limiting wolves to specific nature reserves and implementing active management, including potential culling, to protect citizens and their communities.

Mayors in the Dutch province of Drenthe have sent an urgent letter to the government demanding immediate action regarding the increasing presence of wolves in residential areas. The officials argue that the situation has become unsustainable, as wolves are no longer shy, frequently approaching homes and farms, and posing a risk to both livestock and human safety. Residents have reported encounters where fireworks were required to deter animals, causing widespread anxiety among families who are now preventing their children from playing outside.

The mayors are proposing a policy shift from a free-roaming model to a managed one, suggesting that wolves should be restricted to designated nature reserves. They believe that if wolves leave these zones, active management, including potential culling, should be permitted. This request follows similar concerns raised by officials in Gelderland. Secretary of State Silvio Erkens is set to visit Drenthe to discuss these safety concerns and explore potential adjustments to the wolf's protected status to facilitate better control measures.

Politics Economy Netherlands World

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Based on reporting by ad. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

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