Title: Adult Male Wolf Shot in Protection Hunt in Västra Götaland County
Date: July 22, 2023
An adult male wolf has been killed in the Ripelången district of Västra Götaland County during a protection hunt. The wolf, weighing 45 kilos, was shot after being driven by stray dogs. The hunt took place at 10.30 am and the remaining territory will now be claimed by another male wolf in Ripelången, according to Bertil Andersson, the county board’s inspector.
The hunters were alerted to the wolf sighting in the morning and immediately began tracking it with dogs on leashes. Two dogs were released and quickly drove the wolf towards a pass shooter. The wolf was felled approximately one and a half miles southeast of Herrljunga. The breed of the dogs used in the hunt is unknown, but Andersson described them as scavenger type dogs.
This protection hunt was initiated by the County Administrative Board after nearly 60 sheep were killed in three different wolf attacks since May. A major wolf attack also occurred outside the designated protection hunt area in Kölingared, Ulricehamn municipality. County administrative officials suspect that the male wolf from Ripelången may have been responsible for this attack as well. DNA analysis has linked him to a previous attack in the same village in December.
In Ripelången, a male and a female wolf had established a territory last winter. The County Administrative Board is unaware if there are any wolf puppies in the area. The protection hunt will continue in the areas south of Vårgårda as part of the ongoing efforts by the Västra Götaland County administration.
The protection hunt is aimed at reducing the risk to local livestock and ensuring the safety of the community. With multiple wolf attacks reported in the region, authorities are taking necessary measures to maintain a balance between the conservation of wolves and the protection of livelihoods.