The prefecture of Charente-Maritime issued on Friday, December 4 an order authorizing lethal shooting in the case of one of the wolves that had escaped three weeks from a refuge in Deux-Sèvres, the authorities showing themselves to be more optimistic about the capture. another, remained close to its base.
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The decree of the prefecture of Charente-Maritime authorizes the authorized agents of the French Biodiversity Office (OFB) to take "
the necessary measures to prevent any risk associated with wolf wandering (...) including means of lethal fire, on the territory of the department
”.
The decree follows several attacks on flocks of ewes, since November 13, attributed after expertise to this fugitive wolf: attacks on three separate breeders, 18 ewes killed, 14 injured, predations "
over a very large area
", between Saint-Saturnin du Bois, Marans (40 km) and Saint-Jean-de-Liversay.
On November 13, three young male wolves, aged 2 to 3, escaped from a refuge in Frontenay-Rohan-Rohan, (Deux-Sèvres), bordering Charente-Maritime.
One of the three was found dead five days later on a road, presumably hit by a vehicle.
The other two have since been sought, with a device of snares, photo traps, drones, by OFB agents.
The situation of the two wolves is "
quite different
", indicated Friday the prefecture of Deux-Sèvres.
One "
is fixed around the sanctuary, moves in a small area
", has "
a different behavior
", has consumed bait placed, and "
seeks the proximity of his congeners
" of the refuge he fled.
Specialists say they are "
optimistic
" about his capture alive, told the press the chief of staff of the prefect of Deux-Sèvres Jean-Luc Tarrega.
On the other hand, "
by its behavior, the wolf currently wandering in Charente-Maritime represents a serious risk for the safety of domestic animals and for the protection of sheep farms
", underlined the prefecture of this department.
The Prefecture of Deux-Sèvres recalls that "
Objective N.1 is the capture of two living animals
", and lethal shooting "
the last step
", but that it would take "
this same type of measure
" if the wolf straying was to predate in Deux-Sèvres.
In both cases, the authorities point out that the option of firing hypodermic arrows is complex, requiring close proximity to the animal.
They also recall that the decree makes firing “
possible
” but that it is “
triggered according to the situation
”.
And that only OFB agents can shoot.
“
Everyone, under cover of the prefectural decree, cannot go wolf hunting,
” insisted Mr. Tarrega.
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