Lower Saxony became the first of the „old states“ of Germany to be reinhabited by wolves in 2006. While their return to Germany’s eastern states went smoothly for horse keepers, it triggered controversial discussions in Lower Saxony where more than 200,000 often valuable horses are kept. Equestrianism and breeding are economically important in rural areas. Even if there wasn’t a single proved incident in Lower Saxony so far, fear and reservations run high.
A survey of the horse keeper’s attitudes towards wolves was undertaken in a joint venture by the governing body of Lower Saxony breeder’s associations, Germany‘s Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU) and Hildesheim University. The goal of the study was to contribute towards a conflict-free coexistence of horses and wolves. A moderator led three focus groups hosting 11 persons from the target group. The transcripts were utilised for a qualitative content analysis. An online questionnaire based on those results was later distributed to the target group.
Results: Focus groups
The majority has all in all accepted the return of wolves but sees a potential for conflicts in regard to their horse keeping practice and fears incidents in the future. Others doubt the compatibility of the cultural landscape with the habitat requirements of wolves. A minority strongly opposes any wolf presence. In general, there is a strong reservation against political decision makers, nature conservation associations and the current management of wolves. Many horse keepers feel themselves powerless, having no say within the political decision making processes. Some even suspect that the comeback of the wolves is part of a hidden political agenda to further undermine already weakened rural regions. The horse keepers mostly fear panic reactions on pastures and riding outs and accidents when horses escape from pastures. Direct attacks of wolves on horses are seen as less a problem.
Questionnaires
Overall, 1390 questionnaires were completed. About half of the respondents have positive attitudes towards wolves, view them as a gain for the native fauna and ascribe wolves an important role within the ecosystem. The other half views the comeback not as any gain, but as a threat for horse keeping and a danger for humans alike. Independent of their attitudes towards wolves, the respondents share some strong opinions: Political decision makers lack an understanding of rural every-day life and city dwellers lost their connectedness to country living. There also was strong support for the statement that the wolf management in Lower Saxony is insufficient. In general, the respondents view politics, the wolf management and the relationship between urbanites and the rural population equally sceptical. The target group has a strong rural identity and isolates themselves from urbanites.
Self-initiative solutions are seen sceptically and it is called upon the state instead. Since there is a strong distrust against other stakeholders, the established communication channels are insufficient and new concepts are needed. New ways for safeguarding domestic animals and the state’s practice of financial compensation play a pivotal role for a broader wolf acceptance.
Topics: Management of Human-Wildlife Conflicts: Large Carnivores in Europe
