Five New Wolf Territories Near Satakunta Border Raise Alarm in Western Pirkanmaa
Five new wolf territories have emerged in western Pirkanmaa near the Satakunta border over the past three years, leading to more sightings and changes to farm routines in municipalities including Nokia and Sastamala.
Over the past three years, five new wolf territories have been established in western Pirkanmaa near the Satakunta border, leading to more sightings in southern Nokia, YLE reports.
The Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) issues an annual population estimate based on March data. Its latest maps show new territories at Hämeenkyrö’s Vesajärvi; Sastamala’s Putaja and Storm; and Kokemäki’s Sääksjärvi and Äetsä’s Keikyä. Several areas lost previously recorded territories, including Valkeakoski. Huittinen’s Rekikoski and Kankaanpää still host wolves despite no confirmed breeding pair at the time of the assessment. In Sarkola, part of the Storm family’s range, the institute estimated four to six wolves last March.
Local residents say they have noticed clear changes. Village chair Paula Huhtanen says horses are no longer left out overnight, and farmer Jari Yli-Heikkilä reports a wolf returning close to his yard that "showed no fear of humans." Nokian game management association coordinator Kimmo Alakoski notes that wolf movement has increased since last winter. The Storm pack appears more active and young dispersers are turning up on the edges.
After a July attack that killed more than ten lambs, local game managers received permission to scare wolves away from farms using warning shots, loud noises and dogs to track animals. Authorities urge people to report wolves that approach humans to the emergency response center.
Population-management hunting was carried out last winter for the first time in a decade and, the institute found, slowed population growth. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry announced on 8 September that hunting is being planned again this winter. The Finnish Wildlife Agency is preparing a proposal due in September, and the regulation is slated to take effect at the end of November. Finnish wolf hunting season runs 1 December to 10 February.
The increase comes amid ongoing regional debates over large-predator management, including a March predator policy discussion in Tampere's Marskin Salissa.
Earlier coverage
Catch the full story over at YLE
