Around twenty dogs killed by wolves in southeastern municipality of Ruokolahti this autumn
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Wolves have killed an exceptional number of dogs this autumn in the southeastern community of Ruokolahti in the province of South Karelia. Since August, 18 dogs have ended up as a takeaway meal for their larger canine cousins, and almost equally many representatives of man’s best friend are still missing.
The latest incident took place in the village of Virmutjoki last Saturday night. The entrails of a cross-bred tyke tethered outside for the night had been eaten and spread across the yard.
According to the Ruokolahti predator contact person Timo Mansikka, a group of three wolves is responsible for the devastation in the area. One of the beasts travels alone, the other two sometimes pair up.
"There is also a larger pack living in the area. More than likely these three individuals have been kicked out of the main group."
Two weeks ago the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry issued a permit to shoot one wolf. The permit expired on Tuesday and was not renewed.
Mansikka hopes that at least one of the three wolf shooting permits granted to the Kymi Game Management District for the hunting season that will start in November could be used in Ruokolahti.
"We have to get them out of here. People have already started limiting the outdoor activities of their children", Mansikka says.
Sightings of the animals have been reported weekly. One incident that testifies to the beasts' boldness was when a wolf tried to attack three dogs sitting on a glazed veranda, attempting to break in through a sliding glass door. Fortunately the glass door held.
Most of the dogs have been killed in people's yards, but some have been lost on hunting trips.
"One doesn’t dare to let a dog into the woods any more. The autumn’s elk hunting season is thoroughly ruined."
Researcher Ilpo Kojola from the Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute considers the behaviour of the Ruokolahti wolves exceptional. In his view a small minority of wolves have resorted to exceptional methods to secure easy meals.
"The risk is greater in more densely populated areas. Normally wolves avoid populated areas. In hunting situations, on the other hand, a wolf sees a dog as a rival beast of prey."
In Kojola’s view it is unlikely that wolves whould pose a danger to people. Dogs can be kept in cages or indoors.
Annually wolves kill around 50 dogs in Finland.
The latest incident took place in the village of Virmutjoki last Saturday night. The entrails of a cross-bred tyke tethered outside for the night had been eaten and spread across the yard.
According to the Ruokolahti predator contact person Timo Mansikka, a group of three wolves is responsible for the devastation in the area. One of the beasts travels alone, the other two sometimes pair up.
"There is also a larger pack living in the area. More than likely these three individuals have been kicked out of the main group."
Two weeks ago the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry issued a permit to shoot one wolf. The permit expired on Tuesday and was not renewed.
Mansikka hopes that at least one of the three wolf shooting permits granted to the Kymi Game Management District for the hunting season that will start in November could be used in Ruokolahti.
"We have to get them out of here. People have already started limiting the outdoor activities of their children", Mansikka says.
Sightings of the animals have been reported weekly. One incident that testifies to the beasts' boldness was when a wolf tried to attack three dogs sitting on a glazed veranda, attempting to break in through a sliding glass door. Fortunately the glass door held.
Most of the dogs have been killed in people's yards, but some have been lost on hunting trips.
"One doesn’t dare to let a dog into the woods any more. The autumn’s elk hunting season is thoroughly ruined."
Researcher Ilpo Kojola from the Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute considers the behaviour of the Ruokolahti wolves exceptional. In his view a small minority of wolves have resorted to exceptional methods to secure easy meals.
"The risk is greater in more densely populated areas. Normally wolves avoid populated areas. In hunting situations, on the other hand, a wolf sees a dog as a rival beast of prey."
In Kojola’s view it is unlikely that wolves whould pose a danger to people. Dogs can be kept in cages or indoors.
Annually wolves kill around 50 dogs in Finland.
Helsingin Sanomat