Portuguese sheep breeders in peri-urban areas were provided with guarding dogs

Two sheep breeders with recent wolf damages in pastures located near settlements were provided with livestock guarding dogs, in order to reduce the likelihood of wolves being attracted to peri-urban areas. This first initiative in Portugal for damage prevention in the scope of LIFE WILD WOLF project, involved providing pups of guarding dogs belonging to Serra da Estrela autochthonous breed, to livestock breeders from rural areas of two different municipalities, Paredes de Coura and Caminha, both located in NW Portugal.

The project will ensure the monitoring of the dog's development and effectiveness, during two years, which is the critical period to ensure its adequate integration within the herd and correct any inappropriate behaviours. Furthermore, LIFE WILD WOLF project will also cover the expenses related to the acquisition of these livestock guarding dogs from native breeds, as well as costs for dog GPS collars, food for the first year, and veterinary care and civil liability insurance for two years in order to assure a proper dog development and the breeder receptiveness for this damage prevention measure.

The support to other livestock breeders is foreseen, prioritizing herds grazing inside protected areas, namely the Natura 2000 sites of Serra de Arga, Corno do Bico and Peneda-Gerês, and by providing guardian dogs or electrified fences to protect small herds of sheep or goat that graze nearby human settlements, thus avoiding potential wolf damages near houses, which normally generate social alarmism and intolerance towards this large carnivore.

For more information: lifewildwolfportugal@gmail.com