French livestock farmers face wolf predation and flood losses

Livestock farmers in France are reporting significant challenges due to wolf predation and extreme weather events. In the Vosges region, cattle farmers are experiencing increased attacks from wolves, which are becoming less fearful of human presence. Beyond the immediate loss of animals, predation causes significant stress to herds, leading to erratic behavior and difficult recovery efforts in mountainous terrain. Farmers note that traditional protection methods used for sheep, such as livestock guardian dogs or fencing, are often impractical for large-scale cattle operations spread across multiple pastures.

Separately, in the La Rouvière/Gajan region, heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding of the Braune stream resulted in the loss of 70 lambs for a local shepherd. The breeder reported that the loss occurred during a critical lambing period, with estimated damages totaling approximately €10,500. The farmer noted that insurance coverage did not apply to the incident because the animals were grazing outdoors, adding financial strain to an already difficult agricultural climate.