Sheep and lambs damaged by wild animals highest since 2014
The number of sheep and lambs damaged by carnivores this year is the highest since 2014. Wolves accounted for almost half.
1,144 sheep and lambs have been proven to be damaged by predators this year according to figures from the Ministry of the Environment, Rovbase. Last year’s figures were 1,089.
Wolves accounted for almost half (48%) of the injuries. Then followed bears, which accounted for 27%. The lynx accounted for about 11%, Wolverines for about 9%, and royal eagles for about 5%.
Einar Frogner, a board member of the Norwegian Association of Farmers, said it is difficult to document the damage.
“We know at the same time that there is a big dark number, we have good data for many years. Particularly difficult is documenting damage from eagles and wolverines. In addition, many animals like pastures in terrain that makes it difficult to document their demise,” Frogner told the Nationen newspaper.
© NTB scanpix / #Norway Today