The Millevaches plateau deserves better than a deadly face-off
In the spring, nine predations were recorded on the Millevaches plateau, possibly caused by wolves, angering livestock farmers. In response, the Corrèze prefecture deployed a Wolf Brigade to shoot them. Our associations for the protection of nature and the environment are proposing a different approach.
On March 4, the Carduelis association revealed the presence of two wolves with extremely rare genetic capital on the Millevaches plateau, a male of German-Polish lineage and a young female of Italian-Alpine lineage, a unique event in France. This duo was – and still is – threatened by lethal shootings authorized by the Corrèze prefecture.
Since then, the Prefect of Corrèze has remained deaf to requests from Carduelis and One Voice for a meeting. The aim was to open a dialogue in an attempt to establish measures for coexistence between human activities and the presence of wolves.
All the more so as Carduelis monitoring indicates that other wolves are currently present and/or passing through the Millevaches plateau.
Today, all the associations* are concerned about the situation. We question the delay in classifying certain villages as “circle 1”, a status allowing the opening of specific protection aids such as shepherding… which the FDSEA initially refused – and which we believe could have prevented the damage suffered. In this respect, we deplore the prefecture’s lack of foresight.
We also contest the systematic lethal approach adopted by this very prefecture, and call for the application of alternative measures, such as the scaring measures put in place by the Ardennes prefect under a prefectoral decree published on May 21.
On May 24, the Prefect of Corrèze openly declared to the press: “I don’t think we should learn to live with the wolf”. And his successive decisions – as well as those of the Minister of Agriculture – only serve to inflame tensions and radicalize positions. We recall that the National Action Plan to ensure coexistence between the wolf and livestock farming activities also applies in Corrèze, and we call on the Prefect of Corrèze to show restraint in his comments as a representative of the State, and courage in his dealings with livestock farmers’ unions, in order to initiate a constructive dialogue that will help preserve our biodiversity and human activities.
Rather than fuelling confrontation, we wish to offer a sincere listening ear and concrete help, particularly in terms of prevention, cohabitation and support for the implementation of protection measures adapted to local realities. This is why our national and local animal and nature protection associations (*see below) are mobilizing to propose a way out of this crisis.
In support of the work carried out over the years by the Millevaches Regional Nature Park (PNR), the PastoraLoup program can be deployed on an emergency basis, thanks to volunteers already trained in the Alps in herd surveillance and construction site assistance. Every year, this assistance proves its effectiveness in drastically limiting predation on sheep and cattle herds.
In 2024, with 1171 nights and days of surveillance carried out by more than 150 volunteers, only the loss of one baby goat and one lamb are to be deplored on the 30 farms benefiting from the program in the Alps, Jura and Doubs.
Finally, the presence of a large predator such as the wolf, in addition to the benefits it brings to ecosystems, could ultimately be the source of an eco-agro-touristic activity bringing numerous economic spin-offs to the area. Breeders/producers would be the primary beneficiaries, through the promotion and direct sale of quality products in a wild and protected area.
