Wild Transylvania

by Paul White

I have recently read several threads on social media regarding the fear and 'perceived' threat posed by wolves returning to western Europe. These fears are profoundly felt amongst the farming community within countries undergoing a process of 'rewilding', enabling large predators to return to lands where they were eradicated hundreds of years ago. Farmers are struggling with the question of how to counter this threat and to prevent livestock losses. They know that they have to do something but what should their response be?



The first step in providing an answer to these fears is with good and accurate information. Most farmers are aware that they are entitled to compensation caused by livestock depredations by wolves, but they also know that this is a lengthy process requiring DNA proof. Neither do they want to enter into such a process, because you can't put a value on herds that have taken generations to put together and a lot of hard work to maintain.

Farmers usually prefer the most pragmatic approach to removing threats to their livestock, so it's unsurprising that culls are called for when a wolf preys on sheep. However, this apposes the vision of the European Union which wishes to see a return of large predators across the continent. So picking up your gun and resolving this situation on your own is not a viable option.



Neither is inaction and complaining an option. This is the new reality and the only course of action is to adapt and learn to coexist with wolves. This is completely possible as we used to do this all the time in past centuries. It's just that these 'old ways' and methods were forgotten when large predators were eradicated. So we have to regain this vital knowledge and learn to live with predators once again.

So where is all this information, knowledge and resources? The best information comes first hand from shepherds and herdsmen dealing with predators everyday and already situated within Europe. Especially countries that never eradicated their large predators and so the 'knowledge' was never lost, such as Romania. These shepherds live and work in the field with their flocks 24/7 from April to November, dealing with a high predator burden (wolves, bears, lynx) without the use of 'bear spray' or guns. The only obstructions to 'unlocking' this information has been the language barrier and the quality time required in the field to learn their system of predator deterrence.



Livestock protection from predators comes as a package of measures rather than one single deterrent fitting all situations. How you choose to protect your livestock will depend on your circumstances. e.g: what species and numbers of predators (predator burden), open pasture or fenced grazing, location of livestock - remote or next to your farm.

Available deterrents include:-

1. Livestock Guardian Dogs.
2. Turbo fladry (sometimes electrified).
3. Electric fencing.
4. Human presence i.e. shepherds.
5. Overnight penning - sheepfold.
6. Use of donkeys as an early warning alarm.

Additional benefits can be gained by using these deterrents as they mitigate against existing threats to livestock, such as unleashed pet dogs and foxes.



The USA is still going through a similar process, but opinions are probably even more polarised on how to deal with predators. There are some very knowledgeable people in America and Brenda M. Negri is one of them. Her recently published book, 'The Way of the Pack' (see link below) is a thoroughly enjoyable read which I can recommend to anyone considering Livestock Guardian Dog (LGD) use as part of your predator deterrent.

Recommended reading:-
'The Way of the Pack' by Brenda M. Negri

by Paul White

Several readers have contacted me to ask if it is necessary to have a constant human presence when grazing livestock in predator country, with some suggesting that to do so is not economically viable in modern day farming.



I am aware of the problems and fears caused by human/predator conflict in countries that have seen a return of the wolf and bear, but it is how these threats to livestock are managed that farmers need to consider if they are to deploy an effective deterrent.

Romania has it's own problems too, especially in areas where the 'old ways' of protecting livestock have been forgotten, but this is gradually being addressed by NGO projects which provide shepherds with livestock guardian dogs, fladry and electric fencing to protect sheepfolds.

Wolves and bears have protected status in Romania, so farmers cannot deal with predator conflicts with the gun, so solutions and counter measures are required to promote coexistence with predators rather than elimination.

I document my observations to describe rather than to persuade. My study area is confined to the eastern Carpathians, Covasna county in Romania, where the predator burden for farmers is considered to be high. Whilst I spend most of my time with shepherds from the Hungarian speaking Székely community, the traditions and methods deployed to coexist with predators are similar to other areas of Romania.

There are essentially three types of livestock grazing here, but none are completely static:-

1. Grazing on local communal meadows during the day and returning livestock to the village at night. With this method there has been some recent use of single strand electric perimeter fencing to prevent livestock straying into fields used for crops. Some villagers pay herdsmen to look after their livestock during the day, whilst others leave cows and horses unattended to graze locally between the village and forests.

2. Grazing on higher meadows but remaining close to the village with livestock penned in sheepfolds at night. Shepherds present 24/7, but milk and cheese is processed in the village.

3. Transhumance - the practice of moving livestock from one grazing area to another in a seasonal cycle, typically starting in the lower valleys at the beginning of the grazing season (March-April), then progressing to the highlands in summer. This requires the use of horses and carts to move the whole shepherd camp, including cooking equipment, sheep pens, milking station, and sleeping huts. This cycle ends around October-November, but this is dependent on weather conditions and the amount of grazing available. Shepherds are present 24/7.

Grazing method (1) carries the lowest risk of livestock depredation during spring to summer, with methods (2+3) carrying a higher risk and are dependent on a continuous human presence.

In my study area there is a long tradition of sheep farming and the fundamental deterrent to prevent depredation is a continuous shepherd presence supported by livestock guardian dogs (LGDs) - Personally I find that LGDs are much less effective without a shepherd present. They need guidance, feeding and chastising occasionally. The shepherd is like a parent and a team leader, attending to the needs of his sheep and dogs, looking after their health and dealing with any injuries as and when they occur, at any time of the day or night.

Veterinary surgeons do not venture into remote mountains to treat livestock where there are few if any roads and often no telephone signal, so shepherds need to be self sufficient with a good knowledge of animal husbandry, including first aid.



LGD pack dynamics is a constant consideration too. Introducing new bloodlines, raising and supervising young dogs, working with them and maintaining boundaries. All this early attention/intervention makes for a well balanced and better behaved dog. LGDs that are overly aggressive with humans have not been supervised properly and haven't been around people enough. This process of building an effective team is time intensive and done on the job, but it cannot be achieved without the guidance, authority and presence of the shepherd. Allowing dogs to go feral does not generally provide good outcomes.



Transhumance here is remote shepherding with grazing areas often located between forest stands in the wildest areas of the mountains. Once grazed the shepherds follow forest corridors to fresh grazing on neighbouring meadows. They milk their sheep three times a day and make cheese on the mountain. They are too far away from home to return each evening with their sheep for a shower and to sleep.

Life is tough being attached to the flock 24/7 and to be away from home comforts and family between April through to October. But they consider this a price worth paying to prevent livestock losses, for they know that a wolf will not stop at a single sheep in an unprotected flock.



A sheepfold is used to pen the sheep overnight. Having them confined like this during darkness makes it easier for the shepherds and dogs to protect them. Shepherds sleep in small wooden huts that surround the sheepfold whilst the LGDs patrol, constantly vigilant for predator activity. If a wolf or bear enters the sheepfold the shepherds leap from their beds screaming and shouting, armed only with their wooden staffs. The dogs will chase and harry the predator away from the sheepfold, but will also fight if necessary.



Notes:-

Shepherd group 1 is my main study group. During the 2018 grazing season they were on the meadows from April until November. 3 full time shepherds, 12 livestock guardian dogs and 500 sheep. Predator burden = high. Depredation losses = 0. 

by Paul White

Never let anyone tell you that it's not possible to farm with sheep in predator country because it is. Shepherds and herdsmen have been grazing livestock in Transylvania for centuries and without fences. The big difference here is that sheep never graze on open ground alone. Shepherds are always present with the support of their livestock guardian dogs (LGD) to instantly counter threats from predators.



This was far from a typical day as normally I would be down there in one of those snow covered houses trying to keep warm. It was well below freezing, but rather than sit around the house I decided to take a trip into the foothills with Bandi, one of the many shepherds that live in the village. Usually I visit Bandi in fair weather during the grazing season which covers spring, summer and autumn. So this winter grazing trip was a first for me.



This is not 'one man and his dog', but more one man and his pack! Bandi had chosen five dogs for the several hours of grazing planned in the surrounding hills. Several points have to be considered before deciding which and how many dogs to take.

Predator burden - This area of the eastern Carpathians has a high predator burden for shepherds. The greatest threat comes from wolves and bears, so more LGDs are required to protect sheep. In winter when food is scarce, wolves move down from the surrounding hills and forests. They usually prey on wild boar and deer, but in winter often target stray dogs from villages. There is also the expectation that bears are hibernating in winter, but not all, especially if there is a food source available. Bears scavenge from bins and passing motorists, but equally both predator species will take sheep if not adequately protected.

Flock size - obviously the more sheep you have to watch and protect the more LGDs you need. All dogs are different and their skills, personalities, strengths and weaknesses must all be considered by the shepherd when choosing which dogs to take with him. Seniors obviously have more experience and knowledge but may not be as fit and agile as the juniors. The oldest dog with us was twelve years old, an incredible age for such a large dog. Although fit and healthy, it stuck close to the shepherd and the sheep. So did two other dogs whilst the remaining two acted as 'outriders' checking the ground surrounding the flock, especially bushes and trees that offer cover for predators.

It is important to say that here there is never a scenario of a shepherd working with one dog. A single dog is no match for a wolf or bear. Dogs are only effective when working in cooperation with others, so two is always the minimum number.



Livestock guardian dogs do not drive sheep, they integrate with them and surround the flock to protect them. If a bear or wolf attacks then these dogs will put their lives on the line to repel the predator.

As soon as the dogs and sheep left the village they all knew the routine and made their way uphill along a track which connects with one of several communal meadows that surround the village. I followed taking photos and noted that there was little verbal communication between the shepherd and his dogs. There was no need really as the dogs knew what to do and the sheep knew where to go.



Obviously there's not the same amount of grass available compared to summer but the sheep did find some morsels to eat amongst the snow. However, these winter excursions are not just about nutrition as the sheep are given plenty of winter feed in large barns. This is also about exercising the animals, especially the dogs as the winter here can be very long, often extending from November to April.