Politics · Netherlands · 5 hrs ago
Drenthe leaders call for stronger action on wolves
Dutch State Secretary for Agriculture Silvio Erkens met worried residents and local leaders in Drenthe, in the Netherlands, after mayors raised concerns about wolves.
Residents said attacks on farm animals and fear of wolves were affecting daily life, with some children afraid to cycle.
This year, 49 reports of wolf damage have been made in the province, and 13 have been confirmed as caused by wolves.
Erkens said wolves that are not shy and cause serious problems should be easier to shoot, possibly through a limit on wolf numbers or by targeting the most problematic packs.
Mayors from 10 of Drenthe’s 12 municipalities also called for wolves to be confined to designated nature areas.
The mayors want active management seriously examined, but when any changes might happen is not yet clear.
Burgermasters from ten Drenthe municipalities have urged stronger management of wolves, including considering limits on their numbers and culling the most problematic packs.
State Secretary for Agriculture Silvio Erkens said non-shy wolves that cause too much trouble should be able to be shot more quickly.
Erkens met worried rural residents in Drenthe on November 3 to discuss wolf-related damage and concerns.
Drenthe has recorded 49 reports of wolf damage this year, and 13 have been confirmed as caused by wolves.
The mayors also proposed restricting wolves to designated nature areas, but the timing and details of any active management remain unclear.
- Who
- Drenthe’s mayors and worried rural residents, and State Secretary for Agriculture Silvio Erkens.
- What
- The mayors called for stronger wolf management; Erkens said problematic, non-shy wolves should be able to be shot more quickly.
- When
- November 3, 2026.
- Where
- Drenthe, in the Netherlands.
- Why
- Residents and mayors are concerned about livestock losses, risks around people and fear affecting daily life.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Mayors of ten Drenthe municipalities sent a letter to State Secretary Silvio Erkens calling for action on wolves.
Erkens visited Drenthe and spoke with worried rural residents about wolf damage and management.
- Municipalities
- Mayors from 10 of Drenthe’s 12 municipalities signed the letter
- Wolf damage reports
- 49 reports in Drenthe this year
- Confirmed damage
- 13 reports confirmed as caused by a wolf
- Proposed measures
- Faster culling of problematic packs and possible limits on wolf numbers
- Proposed habitat
- An area restricted to designated nature reserves
2 sources
What people are saying
It is necessary to ensure that attacks on livestock and incidents involving people do not increase.
Children no longer dare to get on their bikes to go to Hoogeveen.
Doing nothing is not an option for us.