– The security guard is out there around the clock and has quite a heavy workload, says Ole-Kristian Bergerud. The leader of Østfold Bondelag is despondent. In the last week, wolves have attacked livestock in several places in Østfold. On the night of Monday 19 June, 10 sheep were killed or injured on Vesterøy in Hvaler. In Halden, five sheep were found killed on an island in Femsjøen on Sunday. Hvaler is one of the country’s largest cottage municipalities. The wolf attack has created a great debate among both holidaymakers and permanent residents. Here, the Farmers’ Association applied to the State Administrator for a felling permit, but was refused. Photo: Geir Kristiansen The Farmers’ Association has complained about the response, but has so far not received a response. Since the attack, they themselves have kept watch. Out all night Two and two stay close to where the grazing animals go. They have split the night in two, and change shifts halfway through. – The wolf is constantly observed, and it moves, says Bergerud. 10 sheep were killed or injured in Hvaler after a wolf attack. Photo: Håkon Hov Martinsen/news Senior advisor Christian Hillmann at the State Administrator in Oslo and Viken says they were early in giving information to the farmers about the wolf. The pasture farmers were then told to keep an eye on their livestock. This still applies, he underlines. – The wolf at Hvaler has taken sheep, and it will take sheep again if it gets the chance. Several farmers have chosen to move their animals from the pasture. But the farmers’ team leader says there is little fodder in the area because it is so dry, and because it was dry last year. – It is actually an acute crisis for those who have to use their winter fodder to feed their animals up to the barn wall now, says Bergerud. Now the State Administrator has come up with two aids for the farmers; the possibility of extra security personnel and money for home feeding. Ole-Kristian Bergerud is the leader of the Østfold farming association. Photo: Caroline Bergli Tolfsen / news Wolf on Kråkerøy On Tuesday, a wolf was observed on Kråkerøy in Fredrikstad, but it is uncertain whether it is the same wolf that was on Hvaler. – We do not know if the wolf is on his way back to Hvaler or if he is on his way further north. It is very unclear and difficult to know, says Hillmann. – In any case, it is important to supervise your grazing animals until it is more clear where the wolf intends to be. Different wolves The attacks on sheep at Hvaler and in Halden are not made by the same wolf. This is now confirmed by the Norwegian Nature Inspectorate, which has carried out analyses. Predator game manager Ida Glemminge says this is a time of year when there can quickly be a lot of damage to grazing animals from wolves. – There are a lot of wolves that are out wandering, like young wolves that are out of their territories. There is also a lot of grazing animals. – If they hit each other, a lot of damage can occur. Especially within the wolf zone, as it is here.
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Fears new wolf attacks on Hvaler – news Oslo and Viken – Local news, TV and radio
