Experts confirm wolf sighting in the Orlické Mountains

15. 10. 2020
From the end of August and September, photos are finally available that definitely confirm a wolf sighting in the Orlické Mountains and the surrounding area. In addition, in the last few months, patrols have successfully found an increasing number of tracks that suggest the wolf has taken up residency. Their regularity and frequency suggest that at least one wolf has settled here. This is positive news for the nature of the Orlické Mountains, but local livestock farmers should safeguard their herds due to the possibility of a future wolf attack.

Volunteers of the wolf patrols have been monitoring wolf sightings in the Orlické Mountains since the 2017/2018 season. The reason, among other things, is the proximity of packs appearing in the nearby area of ​​Broumov and the Polish National Park Góry Stolowe, where the permanent presence of wolves has been confirmed for several years. Due to the tendency of young male wolves to search for new territories as adults, the Orlické Mountains were considered another probable area for their recolonization.

Volunteers recorded the greatest activity of wolves in this mountain range in 2018, when confirmation of a wolf sighting was also expected on photo traps. However, during the year and in the following years, evidence of their settlement was rather sporadic. It can therefore be concluded that mainly scattered individuals moved through the territory or that the territory of a pack from the Broumov region encroached here.

This year, however, could be a turning point. Many records of a permanent settlement of at least one wolf were obtained, especially on the Polish side below the Orlické Mountains. The local coordinator, Jan Drapák, also recorded an increased number of findings on the Czech side directly in the Orlické Mountains. At least one wolf was finally caught on photo traps at the end of August and September.

“The permanent presence of wolves in the Orlické Mountains was really just a matter of time. Based on recurring territorial markers, it appears that at least one wolf has settled here.For the local nature, the return of the wolf is great news, but for livestock farmers it means extra worry. That is why we offer them help and support in preparing projects for better herd security- more information can be found on the new website www.ochranaovci.cz,“ said Miroslav Kutal, head of the Šelmy Hnutí DUHA program and an academic staff member of the Institute of Forest Ecology at Mendel University in Brno.

 

Contact for more information: Miroslav Kutal, head of the Šelmy Hnutí DUHA program and an academic staff member of the Institute of Forest Ecology at Mendel University in Brno, miroslav.kutal@hnutiduha.cz,

tel.: 728 832 889.

Photo: Šelmy.cz and Hnutí DUHA.

 

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