Sheep tears in the Ammer Mountains: dogs as the cause, but a wolf was also involved

Created: 09/20/2022, 18:30

By: Andreas Seiler

Difficult path: Hans Hibler's Farchanter sheep went from Gudiberg to Gießenbachtal at the beginning of June.

Then they had to return early to the valley.

© Private

DNA analyzes by the State Office for the Environment prove that dogs are the cause.

But at least one wolf is said to have been involved in the sheep tears in the Ammer Mountains in July and August.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen – An initial investigation by the Bavarian State Office for the Environment (LfU) had already come to this conclusion.

An in-depth DNA analysis carried out by the Senckenberg Institute now confirms it: Dogs – two were detected – tore the sheep between Stepberg and Enning on the Garmisch-Partenkirchner and Farchanter corridors in July and August this year.

But at least one wolf was involved.

So far there has only been speculation in this regard.

The experts at the LfU assume that the predator was at least on site, possibly as a so-called "beneficiary".

Specifically, DNA traces of a male wolf could be detected.

The incident made waves.

Sheep farmers and breeders are alarmed and fear for their existence.

In the current case, the LfU accommodates farmers.

"Due to the proven involvement of wolves and the close spatial and temporal coincidence of the events, compensation for damages will be granted in all cases," says a press release.

Those affected receive money as compensation for the animals killed.

In addition, the authority focuses on prevention.

An event area is designated.

In this there are subsidies, for example for livestock protection fences.

Hans Hibler, head of the Werdenfelser Bergschaf breeders from Farchant, is anything but satisfied.

The result of the analysis does not convince him.

Because he and his comrades-in-arms also sent samples from the torn sheep to an institute.

And it came out that a hybrid, a cross between a dog and a wolf, cannot be ruled out as the cause.

"It can't go on like this," says Hibler - and calls for a pasture protection zone in which it is possible to shoot a wolf.

Animal rights activist Tessy Lödermann, meanwhile, warns that the topic should be discussed calmly.

A reasonable and feasible solution is needed that does justice to animal welfare and the interests of alpine farming.

Shooting is just one option.

In a specific case, one could determine the exact breed of dog with further investigations.