Authorities claim that in some areas of the Netherlands, wolves can be blasted with paintballs to try and make them less domesticated. There are worries that wolves may pose a severe threat if they lose their fear of people.
The Arnhem provincial administration made this choice in response to a social media video that showed a wolf ambling past a family in the area’s Hoge Veluwe national park. Paintballs were chosen so that rangers could identify the targets that had been hit.
Additionally, it is believed that this will motivate wolves to keep at least 30 metres (100 feet) away from people.
DutchNews was informed by a provincial spokeswoman that one of the wolves in particular appeared to be searching for humans. The wolves are being fed, according to the environmental organisation Faunabescherming, since if they become too tame they could be labelled “problem animals” and put down.
According to DutchNews, Seger Emmanuel baron van Voorst tot Voorst, the park’s owner, disputes the claim but has previously declared that wolves have no place in the Netherlands. Around 20 adult wolves are thought to be residing in the nation, according to a report that was released in June.
The announcement from the local government does not mean that anyone with a paintball gun can head to the park and start firing at wolves. No date has yet been given for when the measure will start and it will be carried out by people authorised to do so.
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