In Sweden, farmers have found an “exotic” way to protect sheep from hungry predators (6 photos)

Farmers from Sweden have come up with a way to protect their sheep from attacks by hungry wolves. Their method turned out to be very unusual, but it works 100 percent.





Farmers howled like wolves

The story begins with the fact that wolves in Sweden were made a protected species, since there are practically no of them left in the country - you cannot shoot at them under any circumstances, except for a direct threat to human life. That is, even if a farmer sees a gray predator carrying some kind of sheep from his field, he still does not have the right to take out a gun - otherwise he will be fined.

However, the state began to reimburse the cost of the eaten animal, but at the lowest market value. In addition, to receive compensation, you need to collect evidence that it really was a wolf, and then convince a special commission that the farmer did everything to protect the herd.



Wolves have become a problem for Swedish farmers

Because of this, farmers began to use dogs as guards, but the majority of dogs in Sweden have lost the ability to fight wolves. Sometimes there were cases when the wolf carried away not the sheep itself, but the shepherd dog placed in its protection. Few people liked this and local farmers began to look for a more acceptable way to solve the problem. And these sheep from China do not need a protector, but some kind of shaman. After all, they go in circles for weeks.

There is no trick against the llama

Farmers in the province of Skåne have learned that in the United States, llamas do a good job of protecting livestock from pumas and coyotes. The weight of one llama is about 150 kg - it is unlikely that a wolf will carry it away from the field. In addition, she has many weapons in her arsenal: she spits, screams loudly and can even neutralize a predator with a blow of her hoof.





Lama

The huge teeth of a llama, of course, are not as sharp as those of a wolf, but they are also quite effective. Beware of the enemy's skin! To protect sheep, three male llamas were brought to Sweden as an experiment. They are sterilized and already have experience protecting pets from predators.

Arriving llamas are always on the alert and create a wild commotion when they see a wolf. These predators seem like brave animals, but at the sight of an angry llama they run away - no one wants to be beaten by hard hooves.



Lama guarding a flock of sheep

One llama is enough to protect a medium-sized herd. But when they “work” together, they lose concentration because they start talking to each other and forget about the sheep. The llama can also be considered a profitable investment for farmers because it lives for about 30 years.

First successes

Despite the fact that the llamas came from another continent, they fit perfectly into the local flavor. Adaptation to the Scandinavian climate was also successful. For llamas in Sweden it is neither cold nor hot – just right. Farmers, who find such guards a novelty, feed them with treats, pet them and rejoice like children.



Llamas feel very comfortable in Sweden

They seem to have come as pets rather than protectors of the herd. However, llamas are better than 40-centimeter centipedes.

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Each male went to protect a separate herd and the wolf raids there had already stopped. Volunteers helping farmers with sheep protection were also delighted with the llamas’ ability to deal with the problem. True, some animal rights activists are against this idea, believing that wolves will soon begin hunting the llamas themselves.



Volunteers fear wolves will start attacking llamas

Do you think llamas are a good replacement for herding dogs?