[Options and limitations of protecting horse husbandries in times of growing wolf populations in Germany – Review of the literature and horse owner questionnaire on risk assessment].
Abstract: Since 2000 the wolf population is reestablishing itself in Germany. In consequence to increasing numbers, livestock damage caused by wolves is on the rise, with horses likewise being affected. The aim of the study was to provide an overview of this challenge and its possible solutions. Methods: Based on a literature research, data on the wolf population in Germany, wolf-related damage as well as possibilities and limitations of herd protection for horses were evaluated. An online survey addressed to horse owners/keepers served to determine the actual and/or perceived threat posed by wolves and the resulting effects on horse husbandry. Results: The literature search showed a continuous increase of the wolf population in recent years as well as a significant increase of wolf-caused livestock damage in general especially since 2016; although horses were rarely affected. Half of the 574 evaluated questionnaires were from Brandenburg and Lower Saxony. The greatest influence on the individual risk assessment concerning their own horses by the growing wolf population was the horse owners' knowledge of wolf attacks in their own county. Especially the aspects of keeping young horses as well as pasture keeping played a significant role. 64 % of respondents indicated that they had not changed their horse management practices despite the increasing wolf population. Only 8 of 576 horse owners had reported officially confirmed wolf attacks and 30 respondents had not reported a suspected wolf damage to official agencies. More than half of the respondents who had contact with a wolf advisor described the cooperation as either not or only slightly purposeful. Conclusions: The number of officially confirmed wolf attacks on horses is low. These numbers could be objectified by a routinely performed genetic test in case of corresponding suspicion. Despite the awareness of an increasing danger of horses by wolves, horse owners mostly do not undertake prophylactic protection measures. The communication between responsible authorities for wolf monitoring and horse owners seems to be in need of improvement. Unassigned: Seit 2000 siedelt sich der Wolf in Deutschland wieder an. Mit steigenden Wolfszahlen nehmen die durch Wölfe verursachten Nutztierschäden zu, wobei auch Pferde betroffen sind. Ziel der Studie war es, einen Überblick zu dieser Problematik sowie Lösungsansätze zu geben. Methods: Anhand einer Literaturrecherche wurden Daten zur Wolfspopulation in Deutschland, wolfsbedingten Schäden sowie Möglichkeiten und Grenzen des Herdenschutzes beim Pferd eruiert. Eine Online-Befragung von Pferdehaltern/-besitzern diente dazu, die tatsächliche und/oder gefühlte Bedrohung durch Wölfe und die daraus resultierenden Auswirkungen auf die Pferdehaltung zu ermitteln. Unassigned: Die Literaturrecherche zeigte ein kontinuierliches Anwachsen der Wolfspopulation in den letzten Jahren und insbesondere seit 2016 einen deutlichen Anstieg wolfsverursachter Nutztierschäden, wobei Pferde selten betroffen waren. Bei der Online-Befragung stammte die Hälfte der 574 ausgewerteten Fragebögen aus Brandenburg und Niedersachsen. Den größten Einfluss auf die Gefährdungsbeurteilung eigener Pferde durch die wachsende Wolfspopulation hatte das Wissen der Pferdehalter über Wolfsangriffe im eigenen Landkreis, wobei insbesondere die Aspekte einer Haltung von Jungpferden und Weidegang für die Pferde eine Rolle spielten. 64 % der Befragten gaben an, ihre Pferdehaltung trotz der zunehmenden Wolfspopulation nicht geändert zu haben. Nur 8 von 576 Pferdehaltern gaben amtlich bestätigte Wolfsübergriffe an und 30 hatten einen vermuteten Wolfsschaden amtlichen Stellen nicht gemeldet. Mehr als die Hälfte der Befragten, die Kontakt zu einem Wolfsberater hatten, bezeichneten die Zusammenarbeit als nicht bis wenig zielführend. Unassigned: Die Zahl amtlich bestätigter Wolfsangriffe auf Pferde ist gering. Durch einen grundsätzlich durchgeführten Gentest bei entsprechendem Verdacht ließen sich diese Zahlen objektivieren. Trotz des Bewusstseins einer zunehmenden Gefährdung von Pferden durch Wölfe unternehmen Pferdehalter überwiegend keine prophylaktischen Schutzmaßnahmen. Die Kommunikation zwischen den für das Wolfsmonitoring zuständigen Behörden und den Pferdehaltern erscheint verbesserungswürdig.
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Publication Date: 2021-10-19 PubMed ID: 34666366DOI: 10.1055/a-1580-8764Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research article investigates the challenges faced by horse husbandries due to the reestablishment of wolf populations in Germany and their perceived threat. It examines through a survey and literature review, the number of damage incidents caused by wolves, specifically to horses, and the preventative measures or lack thereof taken by horse owners.
Objective and Methodology
- The researchers aimed to understand the challenges faced by horse husbandries due to increasing wolf populations in Germany.
- They conducted a detailed study involving a literature review to gather data on current wolf populations, the damage caused by wolves, and the measures used for herd protection.
- An online survey was also used, which targeted horse owners and keepers. The purpose of this survey was to gauge the real and perceived threats posed by the wolf population, and how this affects horse husbandry practices.
Results
- The research and survey showed a continuous increase in the wolf population, leading to increased livestock damage since 2016. However, horses were less frequently affected compared to other livestock.
- The survey included 574 responses, and over half of the responses were from Brandenburg and Lower Saxony.
- The study found that the horse owners’ decision on whether their horses were likely to be attacked by wolves was mostly influenced by their awareness of wolf attacks in their own county.
- Key factors contributing to the perceived threat were the practice of keeping young horses and whether the herd was kept in pastures.
- About 64% of the horse owners reported not changing their horse husbandry practices despite the growing wolf population, and only 8 out of 576 had reported confirmed wolf attacks on their horses.
- It was also found that over half of the respondents who had contact with a wolf advisor, did not find the interaction useful or productive.
Conclusions and Recommendations
- The research concludes that the number of confirmed wolf attacks on horses is low, but reporting and verification could be improved with routine genetic testing where there’s suspicion of wolf attacks.
- Horse owners are largely aware of the increasing danger to horses from wolves but are not undertaking necessary protective measures. This suggests there is a need for education and improved preventative measures in horse care practices.
- The study identifies a need for better communication between authorities responsible for wolf monitoring and horse owners. This includes improving the role of wolf advisors to enhance their usefulness to horse owners.
Cite This Article
APA
Gehlen H, Große V, Doherr M.
(2021).
[Options and limitations of protecting horse husbandries in times of growing wolf populations in Germany – Review of the literature and horse owner questionnaire on risk assessment].
Tierarztl Prax Ausg G Grosstiere Nutztiere, 49(5), 301-309.
https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1580-8764 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Klinik für Pferde, Allgemeine Chirurgie und Radiologie, Freie Universität Berlin.
- Klinik für Pferde, Allgemeine Chirurgie und Radiologie, Freie Universität Berlin.
- Institut für Veterinär-Epidemiologie und Biometrie, Freie Universität Berlin.
MeSH Terms
- Animal Husbandry
- Animals
- Germany
- Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
- Horse Diseases
- Horses
- Risk Assessment
- Surveys and Questionnaires
- Wolves
Conflict of Interest Statement
Die Autoren erklären, dass keine wirtschaftlichen oder persönlichen Verbindungen zu anderen Organisationen und Einrichtungen bestehen, die die Ergebnisse der Studie und den Artikel beeinflussen könnten.
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Krueger K, Gruentjens T, Hempel E. Wolf contact in horses at permanent pasture in Germany. PLoS One 2023;18(8):e0289767.
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