We can help to preserve our cultural landscape and prevent the overgrowth of certain areas with a guided grazing of the livestock. Pastures and meadows in Slovenia represent half of the agricultural land. For successful guided grazing on Slovenian hilly landscapes and in the Southwest Slovenian region “Kras”, these areas need to be enclosed with a large number of smaller fences. Numerous attacks of wild animals in these regions present a big threat to guided grazing. In the past, the human population almost eradicated these animal species, therefore, they are now highly protected and they require a special management. Carnivore management in Slovenia is led by The Slovenia Forest Service, but there is currently no unifying management dealing with the entire European Union, therefore, each country is managing it their own way, although they need to stick to the Habitats Directive. Wolves present a big threat to the agriculture on Slovenian land, especially where their presence is in the highest numbers. It is most damaging towards the small cattle. There is, in fact, a lot of different methods to protect the property from wolves. The most effective ones definitely have to be electric fences, which need to be correctly installed and regularly maintained. For overnight protection of the livestock, we use night pens, which are set on the inside of the pasture, to hold the herd close together. Herbivore guardians and livestock guardian dogs are also quite effective. The most optimal protection of the property is a combination of different protection methods and regular attendance of the breeder. Every breeder, who is appropriately implementing safeguard measures in entitled to compensation in case of damage.
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