Alp farmers look back on turbulent mountain summer - Bavarian Alpine Farmers Face Summer of Fear: Wolves, Water Shortages, and Military Exercises
Alpine farmers in Bavaria faced a challenging summer, with herds exhibiting extreme nervousness due to suspected predator activity, water shortages, and military helicopter exercises. The situation has raised concerns about the coexistence of wolves and traditional farming practices.
The summer of 2022 saw around 59,000 livestock, including cattle, horses, pigs, sheep, and goats, grazing on alpine pastures in the Allgäu and Upper Bavaria. Herders reported unusually anxious herds, with some animals even breaking through fences and falling off cliffs, suggesting the presence of a wolf. However, the Bavarian Environment Agency has not yet confirmed any sightings.
The challenging conditions were exacerbated by a lack of snow the previous winter and heat and drought in June, leading to water supply problems. Some alpine pastures and farms had to be supplied with water from the valley. Military helicopter exercises also caused a stampede, resulting in the tragic death of 15 cattle.
Rain in July provided some relief from the water shortage, but a cold snap in the Allgäu hindered optimal grass growth. Alpine farming associations have demanded that military exercises be held at lower altitudes or avoided altogether during the grazing season to prevent such incidents.
The Ortseinheiten dealing with these issues included areas in Berchtesgadener Land, where there are confirmed reports of wolf presence. Nervous herds pose handling challenges for herders and can also be a danger to hikers, making coexistence between wolves and alpine farming difficult. Around 20 lost animals were reported in Upper Bavaria alone.
Herders suspect a roaming predator, but without concrete evidence, they continue to face these challenges while trying to maintain their traditional farming practices.
The summer of 2022 presented significant challenges for alpine farmers in Bavaria, with suspected wolf activity, water shortages, and military exercises causing distress to livestock. While herders demand changes to military exercise locations, the coexistence of wolves and traditional farming practices remains a pressing issue that requires careful consideration and management.
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