Wolf Fencing Team Belgium: a catalyst for peaceful coexistence with wolves

WFTB team looking at the horse fence — Diemer Vercayie

About the finalist

Lead applicant	WWF Belgium; Natuurpunt vzw
Category	Working together for nature
Countries involved	Belgium
Main Natura 2000 site	Mangelbeek en heide- en vengebieden tussen Houthalen en Gruitrode and Vallei- en brongebied van de Zwarte Beek, Bolisserbeek en Dommel met heide en vengebieden (Belgium)
Website	http://www.wolffencing.be/

Overview

In 2018, wolves returned to Belgium. In the region of Flanders, the first (and still only) wolf pack has a territory of about 300 km², encompassing two large Natura 2000 sites at its core: ‘Mangelbeek en heide- en vengebieden tussen Houthalen en Gruitrode’, and ‘Vallei- en brongebied van de Zwarte Beek, Bolisserbeek en Dommel met heide en vengebieden’.

The high number of non-professional pet livestock owners in the area creates a particular risk of wolf attacks. Initial unrest and tensions escalated into major protests against the presence of wolves in the region. Public support for wolves and, by extension, for Natura 2000 and European nature restoration efforts in general, was at risk.

The Flemish government introduced a subsidy policy to make livestock fences wolf-proof, with a view to achieving a peaceful coexistence between livestock owners and wolves. However, a mental shift to learn that it is possible to coexist with predators with a minimum of conflict was also needed.

With this objective in mind, the Wolf Fencing Team Belgium (WFTB) was created by three nature conservation NGOs active in the region. Since 2019, a few professionals and some 50 volunteers have been supporting livestock owners with expert advice and practical help to adjust their fences. The team also provides support in applying for subsidies for fence adaptation and for compensation after suspected wolf attacks. It further carries out communication activities to raise awareness about coexistence with wolves and cooperates in the monitoring of wolf presence and policy development.

Over 1,080 livestock owners have reached out to WFTB for help. 80% of all requests have been handled so far, and all owners received email advice. To date, none of the ca. 260 damage cases that have been filed in Flanders since the WFTB has been active concerned wolf-resistant fences that were adjusted according to WFTB standards and well maintained.

In recent years, there has been much less controversy about the presence of wolves in the region compared to neighbouring countries. Considering the large increase in the number of applications to WFTB in the same period, this seems to indicate that conciliation is finally on its way.

The success of this initiative is also leading to its replication in other areas. A ‘Wolf Fencing Team Wallonia’ and a ‘Wolf Fencing Zuid Nederland’ are now being set-up in close cooperation with WFTB, to extend peaceful coexistence with wolves to these neighbouring regions.