"Thanks, wolf": deadliest suspected attack in Friesland kills 41 sheep

A suspected wolf attack in Oosterwolde has left 41 sheep dead, making it potentially the deadliest wolf incident in Friesland’s history. Farmer Martin Meinsma, whose flock was attacked, placed the dead animals along the roadside with a sign reading “Bedankt wolf” (“Thanks, wolf”) in protest.

“I got a knock on my door this morning that sheep were wandering onto the road. I knew right away what had happened,” said Meinsma.

He had 165 sheep in the pasture where the attack took place. By the time he arrived, about 20 were already dead. Another group was so severely injured that a veterinarian had to euthanize them. “Some of the sheep had their intestines hanging out,” Meinsma said.

Meinsma said he has lost 140 sheep to wolf attacks this winter alone, most of which have been confirmed as wolf-related.

If confirmed, the Oosterwolde incident would be the deadliest wolf attack recorded in Friesland. According to BIJ12, the previous highest number of sheep killed in a single attack in the province was 33 in Slappeterp in 2019, though that was later attributed to a dog. The deadliest confirmed wolf attack occurred in January 2023 in Appelscha, where 28 sheep were killed.

Earlier this month, similar incidents were reported in Nieuwehorne and Makkinga, where 33 and 29 sheep were killed, respectively. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether a wolf was responsible.

Meinsma does not use special wolf fencing, believing it to be ineffective. “It doesn’t work. If a wolf wants in, it will get in. A friend of mine has protection, and he still has attacks,” he said.