Fawn killed?

Concern about wolf on pasture

(Bild: EXPA Picture/EXPA/ Lukas Huter)

After a fawn was killed, farmers in a small town in the Waldviertel are worried about their cattle, which will soon be grazing in the meadows. Local politicians are calling for measures to be taken against the predator. 

Just now, when the weather is getting milder again after the cold snap, so that the lush grass is sprouting and farmers can soon put their animals out to pasture, there is a lot of excitement in Aschen in the Zwettl district. Because exactly where organic farmer Gerhard Hochwallner's cattle will soon be enjoying the fresh greenery, there are now signs that a wolf has killed a fawn.

It is true that people in the region are far more familiar with the presence of the predator than in other areas. After all, the first registered pack of wolves was found on the Allentsteig military training area and so-called wandering wolves also roam this rural area from time to time. Nevertheless, local farmers in particular are now very concerned.

Waldviertel organic farmer Gerhard Hochwallner fears for his cattle on the pasture since a wolf is said to have recently killed a fawn on the meadow in Aschen.

(Bild: Antal Imre/Imre Antal)

Uncertain future for farmers
"We have been organic farmers by conviction since 1995 and keep our cattle on various pastures. However, it is impossible to implement herd protection measures everywhere here," emphasizes Hochwallner. More and more of his colleagues are giving up cattle farming - and he is already thinking about the future of his farm.

The wolf is a threat to grazing animals that will be grazing on our meadows in the coming weeks. But our habitat will also be negatively affected.

Bürgermeister Ewald Fröschl

Not only the farmers, but also the municipal leaders are following the wolf's appearance with concern: "It is high time that measures are taken to reduce and regulate the wolf population," says local leader Ewald Fröschl. And Deputy Mayor Willi Kolm, who is also a hunting tenant, emphasizes: "Apart from the financial damage, the current situation is also unacceptable for the population."