Over 3,000 animals are better protected against wolves in Zeeland due to subsidies 

The 95,000 euro subsidy earmark from the province of Zeeland for the purchase of fences and other protective measures against wolves has been fully used up. "As a result, more than 3,700 sheep, 16 goats, 6 cattle and 4 horses can be better protected," the province reported.

Eight requests for a subsidy have been approved. Another eight were denied because they did not meet the requirements.

The subsidy scheme ran from May 15 to September 30 this year. Animal owners can use the subsidy money to purchase, among other things, fixed and movable wolf-resistant fences with electric wires.

The provincial executive responsible for this, Wilfried Nielen, is positive about the idea of ​​reopening the scheme next year. "But we will have to see in the next budget as a provincial government whether there is money for this." If that happens, owners of farm animals who submitted an incomplete subsidy application in the first round can again apply for financial support.

In the spring of 2021, a wolf was seen in Zeeland for the first time since the animal's return to the Netherlands. Since then, there has been an increase in wandering wolves in the province. They have killed dozens of sheep since then.