Missing shots: has the possibility of shooting wolves been lacking for 20 years in France’s livestock protection measures?

摘要: Wolves were exterminated in France the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Therefore, livestock breeders herders unprepared when wolves arrived from Italy 1993, year after committed to European Union (EU) protect wolves. Today, ~580 wolves, whose numbers are growing exponentially, present over one-third of France. During last 10 years, deaths have grown linearly 3215 2009 12 451 2019, despite implementing extensive damage protection measures since 2004, including reinforced human presence, guard dogs, secured pasture fencing electrified night pens. The failure prevent is clear. enter mosaic landscapes where grazing abundant easy prey. intelligent opportunistic. As a strictly protected species, it seems they no longer associate with humans danger. Half successful attacks now occur during day, notwithstanding presence dogs humans. Considering high costs unsatisfactory protection, recently modified its wolf management policy. In addition non-lethal means that suffered several by permitted, derogation law, defensively shoot Based upon evidence other countries, we suggest re-establishing reciprocal relationship Breeders should be allowed defend their herds against attacks, not predation events. Defence shooting would also upgrade efficiency means, as warning signals for respect. Rather than passive coexistence, need embrace dynamic ever-evolving process coadaptation between relying on adaptive capacities both.