Wolves have been back in Germany for a few years now, and with them old debates are returning. One of these questions is who is liable for damages when a wolf kills livestock.

A recent ruling by the Magdeburg Regional Administrative Court sheds light on this and emphasizes the importance of preventive measures.

In the specific case, a farmer was of the opinion that a wolf had been responsible for the death of a calf. The calf was found in a pasture that was secured with an electric wire. But is this protection sufficient against wolves?

According to the decision of the VG Magdeburg of 28.02.2017, the injured party bears the burden of proof for a wolf attack in order to assert a compensation claim. The mere assumption of a wolf kill outside confirmed occurrence areas is not sufficient. In addition, sufficient protective measures must be in place. In this case, the electric wire was positioned at a height of 50 cm, which is not an obstacle for wolves. The minimum distance to the ground should be 20 cm to effectively deter wolves.

A wolf kill can be identified by specific characteristics. For example, prey are usually killed by a deliberate throat bite. The distance between a wolf's canines is typically between 30 and 40 mm. A distance of 11 cm between bite holes, as claimed by the plaintiff, therefore does not speak for a wolf.

But what does this verdict mean for the protection of our farm animals? 
An important hint comes from NRW, where reference is made to the "Förderrichtlinie Wolf", which regulates such cases. In the Hochsauerland region, however, there are concerns about the protection of mouflon. Some fear that the reintroduction of the wolf could accelerate the extinction of this species, as special protection measures for mouflon game are lacking so far.

The debate is heated and far from settled. One thing is clear, however: the coexistence of humans, wolves and livestock requires adjustments and a better understanding of the needs and behaviors of all involved.