Summer Pastures Request Help in the Fight against Wild Animals

Tamta Tvalavadze, Maka Malakmadze

Wild animals attack flocks in summer fields of Khulo district. Pastures have to be very attentive when pasturing sheep in the field. One hunter is appointed for each field to protect flock; he threats beasts by shooting gun. However, locals said population cannot effectively cope with the problem alone. They urge the government for help.

Guram Abuladze, resident of mountainous Adjara: “It is often mist in the mountain that supports wolves to attack flock. We cannot detect beast in the mist. We are short in guns too.  We urge the government for help. Sheep are stolen every day. It is the only source of our income.” 

As we found out, locals did not know that they were allowed to kill wolf. “Unless they allow us to kill the wolf, we will face serious problems. The beast has already killed more than 25 cheep,” said Nodar Tsetskhladze from Adjara. 

Wild animals’ attack on population and domestic animals is regulated by the resolution “Regulations about Wild Animals,” which states: 

“If wild animal, including wolf, attacks population and kidnaps domestic animals and private property, population has right to kill the beast. In this case, population does not need permission from the ministry of environment and people will not be sanctioned for having killed the beast. However, local self-governmental body shall be notified about the fact.”

There are cases, when population cannot fight against wild animals alone. The aforementioned resolution regulates similar facts too.

“Population shall notify the local self-governmental agency about the threat from wild animals; the agency shall apply to the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources which will pass conclusion on reasonability of killing the animal and will issue special permission on it,” the resolution states.

Head of Biodiversity Service at the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Soso Kartsivadze said local district administration had not applied to the ministry for the permission to kill domestic animals in Khulo district. 

“In similar case, they should inform us and we will issue the permission within our competence,” Kartsivadze said.

Very often, attack on domestic animals becomes reason of emergency in mountainous regions. Zoo director Zurab Gurielidze said that the best way to be protected from the attack of wild animals is Caucasian sheepdog. 

“This breed of dogs easily detect beast in the mist and can deter them very well. Owners shall take care to protect their cattle though if they are attacked, the law allows them to kill wolves,” Gurielidze said.