MADRID – MANY currently struggle to keep the figurative wolf from the door but in the Guadarrama mountains (Madrid), cattle farmers are striving to keep Iberian wolves from their herds and flocks. Videos and sound recordings had been sent to the regional president, Esperanza Aguirre, to prove that wolves were in the area and attacked livestock, said a representative from the Farming, Stockbreeding and Forestry Union (UGEMA).
The Madrid regional government’s environment department conceded that wolves were around but insisted that they did not inhabit the area but crossed the boundaries separating Madrid from Avila and Segovia.
Cattle farmers and the regional government are now attempting to put guidelines in place for payouts in compensation for attacks from the wolves, which are a protected species unique to Spain.
As already happens in the neighbouring region of Castilla y Leon, breeders and farmers could find themselves having to insure animals to demonstrate that they, too, were prepared to shoulder some of the responsibility.
“But it should not require much effort on the part of the Madrid regional government to compensate affected farmers for the damage inflicted by wildlife, including wolves,” argued UGEMA.
Local forest rangers confirmed the presence of wolves in Guadarrama and agreed that legislation was required without delay to ensure that the cattle farmers did not suffer financially.
“Compensation payments would protect the wolves from illegal deterrents like traps or poison and these iconic animals could remain safely in the province,” said one ranger.
Meanwhile, affected farmers and breeders should increase safety measures by putting up fences and enclosing herds and flocks at night, said experts, who also recommended a return to traditional mastiffs as guard dogs.
http://www.euroweeklynews.com/2011010385287/news/spain/wolves-at-large-in-madrid-mountains.html
The Wolf Preservation Blog 
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