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The expansion
of wolves across the agricultural plains of northern Spain is one of
the conservation success stories of the last decades. It has not
been without conflict, and livestock depredation has increased.
Although the traditional shepherding practices are relatively intact
in Spain, many herders have lost the tradition of using effective
livestock guarding dogs. In order to reduce this conflict a project
called CoEx, funded by the EU LIFE programme is providing shepherds
with traditional Spanish mastif dogs to help guard sheep from wolf
attacks. This little pup is around 3 months old and has been placed
in the barn together with lambs so that he will bond on sheep - a
requirement for effective guarding. The restoration of this age old
husbandry system is a very effective action to help conserve wolves,
indigenous dog breeds, and traditional husbandry practices. |
