Current:Home > ContactWolves at a Dutch national park can be shot with paintball guns to scare them off, a court has ruled -WealthTrail Solutions
Wolves at a Dutch national park can be shot with paintball guns to scare them off, a court has ruled
View
Date:2025-04-18 21:53:05
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — A Dutch court ruled Wednesday that authorities can use paintball guns to shoot at wolves in a popular national park to scare them after at least one of the animals began approaching human visitors.
The decision was a victory for the eastern province of Gelderland, that has sought to frighten the wild wolves using paintball guns. Wolves are protected in the Netherlands and can’t be hunted.
A wildlife protection organization that opposes the plan said that it would appeal the ruling.
Two centuries after wolves were hunted to extinction in the Netherlands, the animals officially returned to the country in 2019 when a pair of the animals crossed the border from Germany and gave birth to three cubs on Dutch soil.
The European Commission announced last year that it’s weighing whether to rein in protective measures for the animals amid farmers’ concerns about their livestock.
Experts and environmental groups estimate that up to 19,000 wolves may be present in the 27 EU member countries, with populations of more than 1,000 thought to exist in Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Poland, Romania and Spain.
The Central Netherlands District Court said in its ruling that one female wolf at the Hoge Veluwe National Park has been seen approaching walkers and cyclists, displaying what it called “unnatural behavior.”
The park is a popular destination for hikers and bicycle riders and also is home to a world-renowned art gallery, the Kröller-Müller Museum. It also is home to animals including deer, mouflon sheep and wild boars. Those animals have been repeatedly attacked by wolves in recent years.
The park recently posted footage on Instagram that it said showed a confrontation between two packs of wolves — one inside the fenced-off park and another outside.
An expert who gave evidence to the court on behalf of the province said that the female wolf was “becoming increasingly bolder,” the court said in a statement.
“The expert concludes that this unnatural behavior poses a serious threat to public safety. The fact that the wolf seems to be less and less afraid of people does not mean that the animal can no longer become aggressive and bite,” it added.
It wasn’t immediately clear when authorities would begin using paintball guns to target wolves in the park.
veryGood! (4237)
Related
- Federal appeals court upholds $14.25 million fine against Exxon for pollution in Texas
- Tornado kills multiple people in Iowa as powerful storms again tear through Midwest
- Sites with radioactive material more vulnerable as climate change increases wildfire, flood risks
- Stenhouse fined $75,000 by NASCAR, Busch avoids penalty for post All-Star race fight
- NCAA hits former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh with suspension, show-cause for recruiting violations
- Retired judge finds no reliable evidence against Quebec cardinal; purported victim declines to talk
- Israel’s block of AP transmission shows how ambiguity in law could restrict war coverage
- Is McDonald's nixing free refills? Here's what to know as chain phases out self-serve drink machines
- Taylor Swift Cancels Austria Concerts After Confirmation of Planned Terrorist Attack
- China is accelerating the forced urbanization of rural Tibetans, rights group says
Ranking
- Spooky or not? Some Choa Chu Kang residents say community garden resembles cemetery
- Sean “Diddy” Combs Sued by Model Accusing Him of Sexual Assault
- The Latest | UN food aid collapses in Rafah as Israeli leaders decry war crime accusations
- Will America lose Red Lobster? Changing times bring sea change to menu, history, outlook
- Meta donates $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund
- Belarus authorities unleash another wave of raids and property seizures targeting over 200 activists
- Caitlin Clark announces endorsement deal with Wilson, maker of WNBA's official basketball
- Russia is waging a shadow war on the West that needs a collective response, Estonian leader says
Recommendation
Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
Mad Max 'Furiosa' review: New prequel is a snazzy action movie, but no 'Fury Road'
NHL conference finals begin: How to watch New York Rangers vs Florida Panthers on Wednesday
Surprise attack by grizzly leads to closure of a Grand Teton National Park mountain
IOC's decision to separate speed climbing from other disciplines paying off
Sean “Diddy” Combs Sued by Model Accusing Him of Sexual Assault
Toronto Blue Jays fan hit in head with 110 mph foul ball gets own Topps trading card
Abi Carter is the newest 'American Idol' winner: Look back at her best moments this season