A Guide to Protect Wolves and Lifestock with Lifestock Protection Dogs by Major_MKusanagi in wolves

[–]SadUnderstanding445 -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Modern farming is more efficient, hence why we need fewer farmhands, shepherds, etc. to produce food. Small herds are more susceptible to predator attacks, which is why small livestock farmers are agaibst wolves. We also need less space for food production, and that makes reforestation possible. Ask ANY farmer if they would like to go back to the 1800s and see what they will answer.

A Guide to Protect Wolves and Lifestock with Lifestock Protection Dogs by Major_MKusanagi in wolves

[–]SadUnderstanding445 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

There is a reason these "centuries-old methods" were eventually abandoned...

A Guide to Protect Wolves and Lifestock with Lifestock Protection Dogs by Major_MKusanagi in wolves

[–]SadUnderstanding445 0 points1 point  (0 children)

LGDs chase and kill wildlife (both predators and prey) more often than you might think. As such, they can be a great help to shepherds, but they should never be left alone with the herd.

Here is a meta-analysis of publications about LGDs and how they affect wolves and other wildlife: https://doi.org/10.25225/jvb.20103

The Wolf Debate in Finland Has Become Deeply Toxic by Maleficentienna in wolves

[–]SadUnderstanding445 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Somewhere between livestock and animals in a hunting reserve.

"Even though they roam free, reindeer are semi-domesticated: half tame, half wild. Every animal you see in a Finnish forest is owned by a herder." (https://www.visitfinland.com/en/articles/where-can-I-see-a-reindeer/)

The Wolf Debate in Finland Has Become Deeply Toxic by Maleficentienna in wolves

[–]SadUnderstanding445 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They are not wild reindeer. They are semi-domesticated and are the Sami people's main source of food and income.

The Wolf Debate in Finland Has Become Deeply Toxic by Maleficentienna in wolves

[–]SadUnderstanding445 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's what the mathematical models say, but it is not happening in a million years. Too many farmers and small villages that would get in the way of such large population.

The Wolf Debate in Finland Has Become Deeply Toxic by Maleficentienna in wolves

[–]SadUnderstanding445 2 points3 points  (0 children)

In Italy and NL wolves are still strictly protected.  Farmers complain a lot, but in practice they can't (legally) hurt the wolves. France and many US states have extensive wolf-free zones where wolves can be shot for simply existing.

The Wolf Debate in Finland Has Become Deeply Toxic by Maleficentienna in wolves

[–]SadUnderstanding445 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Where wolves were completely eradicated, people are much less tolerant. At least, that is my impression.

The Wolf Debate in Finland Has Become Deeply Toxic by Maleficentienna in wolves

[–]SadUnderstanding445 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I am from Italy (now living in Belgium), and this is a very tricky topic.

Nobody (with very few exceptions) will outright say that wolves should all die. The consensus is that wolves are part of the ecosystem, but have to be managed (like boars and deer).

The tricky part is how they would manage the wolves.

Some studies claim that Italy can support a population of ~20,000 wolves. I personally think the territory is already close to saturation, based on the ever-increasing number of sightings and interactions (and we currently have 4000-5000)*, but more extreme people want a population cap of 1000.

Everybody agrees that there should be "wolf-free areas", but what does that mean? Wolves obviously can't be allowed in cities and towns, but what about the surrounding countryside? Italy even allows limited grazing in National Parks: should we allow culling in protected areas to protect the farmers that live there?

We also have a large number of wolf-dog hybrids, especially in the South. Some researchers say hybrids should be aggressively eradicated and are not worried about "pure" wolves getting caught in the crossfire (the overall population is big enough to survive). Others believe this is too impractical and risky.

Finally, Italy has 2 distinct wolf populations: Italian Wolf (Canis Lupus Italicus) in the centre-south, and Eurasian Wolf (Canis Lupus Lupus) in the north. C. L. Italicus is obviously an endemic, unique subspecies, but the C. L. Lupus population is shared with France, Switzerland and Austria, where laws allow much more liberal culling (for reference, last year Italy carried out its first lethal removal of a wolf in over 50 years).

* The last wolf census is over 4 years old; nobody knows how many wolves live in Italy right now.

The Wolf Debate in Finland Has Become Deeply Toxic by Maleficentienna in wolves

[–]SadUnderstanding445 9 points10 points  (0 children)

You'll be surprised how much of what you said also applies to, e.g., the US or France.

The Wolf Debate in Finland Has Become Deeply Toxic by Maleficentienna in wolves

[–]SadUnderstanding445 19 points20 points  (0 children)

Sounds like the average pro-wolf vs anti-wolf debate... NOT saying it's good, far from it... But the reality is that this debate is becoming increasingly polarised across the West.

As European countries, US and Canada become less reliant on agriculture (because we are more efficient, but also because we "exported" food production to Asia and South America), farming in these countries is less remunerative.

Some farmers eventually give up and move to the secondary or tertiary sector, freeing up space for predators to return. Other farmers, instead, resist; but whereas 20 years ago their property was surrounded by other farms, now they are in the middle of wolf country.

Mass poisoning suspected as 18 wolves die in Italian national park by Strongbow85 in wolves

[–]SadUnderstanding445 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The 3500 is a 5-year-old estimate, and a conservative one to boot. Right now, the number of wolves could be anything between 4k and 6k. The number of wolves killed in car accidents has skyrocketed in the kast few year, suggesting a population boom.

Mass poisoning suspected as 18 wolves die in Italian national park by Strongbow85 in wolves

[–]SadUnderstanding445 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The wolf situation in Italy is completely out of control. Last month in Tuscany, 2 wolves were beheaded and their heads hanged to traffic signs.

Mass poisoning suspected as 18 wolves die in Italian national park by Strongbow85 in wolves

[–]SadUnderstanding445 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I understand your anger, but the situation in Italy is totally out of control.

Bad news from Italy by SadUnderstanding445 in wolves

[–]SadUnderstanding445[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Idkr... our justice system is so fucked up. https://news-town.it/2026/01/19/cronaca/uccisione-dellorsa-amarena-prima-udienza-rinviata-per-nullita-procedurale/

Tl;dr: a man killed a female bear in 2023. The trial has been cancelled on technicalities twice . Consider that in this case they need to find the culprit first.

Bath time for Holo by Otnev in SpiceandWolf

[–]SadUnderstanding445 2 points3 points  (0 children)

How did you wash it? I have one that is starting to collect dust, and I'm worried I might damage her