Wolf, Dog, Human (IV)

The wolf is not the enemy of man,

Man is the enemy of the wolf

Where does this deep-seated human fear of wolves come from?

As early as 1812, the Brothers Grimm stoked fear of wolves with the fairy tale Hansel and Grethel, published in Grimm's Fairy Tales.

It is impossible to support a development in a more targeted manner; this primal fear was already conveyed to children through a fairy tale.

If one follows the development of wolf populations throughout history, it becomes clear that the coexistence of humans and wolves was not only possible but even desired in some cultures until the early Middle Ages.

Until then, wolf populations were stable.

However, increasing livestock farming changed the basic attitude towards wolves.

He became a symbol of evil.

Towards the end of the Middle Ages, open livestock farming and forest grazing led to a growing fear of wolves. Livestock losses placed a strain on grazing livestock farming.

The result was that the wolf was systematically combated and its population was drastically decimated.

The aim was the complete eradication of the wolf in Central Europe.

The fear of wolves, in retrospect, had existential causes, just as it does today. Livestock farmers fear losses that would jeopardize their livelihoods.

The myth of the big bad wolf who kidnaps and eats small children is once again flourishing today.

The myth is fueled by farmers and hunters, who both fear for their livelihoods.

The wolf is blamed for all kinds of wildlife attacks.

The proposal by interest groups for nature and environmental protection to protect grazing livestock through state-supported measures (herd protection dogs, electrified high pasture fences) has been reluctantly accepted.

The EU supports these measures 100%.

Shepherds from wolf-infested regions in Italy's Abruzzo region, the French Pyrenees, and northwestern Spain report the successful use of livestock guardian dogs. Shepherds from Germany can also confirm the effective use of livestock guardian dogs. Wolves prefer to avoid livestock guardian dogs, as they represent extremely difficult prey for them.

If one is to believe the allegations of livestock farmers, the physical integrity of their animals is just as important to them as avoiding financial losses due to killed animals.

For thousands of years, shepherds have entrusted their flocks to dogs.

Shepherds who rely on livestock guardian dogs can report that for years no

a single wolf attacked their herd... in an area home to a wolf pack.