NABU criticizes Wolfs-Warnschilder: Do you only fuel fear in Märkisch-Oderland?

NABU criticizes Wolfs-Warnschilder: Do you only fuel fear in Märkisch-Oderland?

In a heated dispute over security in nature, the Nature Conservation Association (NABU) sharply criticized the new Wolfs-Warnschilden in Märkisch-Oderland. These signs, which were set up in the vicinity of Gusow-Platkow and Neuhardenberg, are to warn of wolves. Christiane Schröder, the state managing director of NABU in Brandenburg, emphasizes that such signs only stir up unnecessary fear. "You can meet the wolf in Brandenburg at any time because it occurs across the board. It doesn't need any extra signs for this," she explains.

The Seelow-Land office, which is responsible for the signs, defends his decision. Robert Schulz, the wolf officer of the office, explains that the signs do not serve to deny people access to nature. "We want to sensitize people," he says. The signs were set up after a deer was torn by a wolf near the Gusower station. Despite the warnings, entering the forests for residents and walkers remains allowed.

a novelty in Brandenburg

The signs could be a novelty in Brandenburg, since the responsible state environmental office does not set up such warnings. Schulz admits that he is not aware of any other place that has put up similar signs. However, the discussion about security in dealing with wolves is not new. The Federal Ministry of the Environment notes that direct encounters between wolf and humans are rare in wolf areas, even if it can happen that wolves have passed into settlements.

wolves are strictly protected in Germany and must not be hunted. Nevertheless, there is a persistent dispute about dealing with these animals, especially between hunters and animal rights activists. In politics, it is currently being discussed to loosen the protection status and to enable rapid casting for problematic wolves. There are currently 58 wolf packs in Brandenburg, and the tendency is rising.