Applying for compensation for livestock killed by wolf or lynx

Please report the livestock crack to the hotline or by e-mail to the responsible office. An on-site inspection will then be carried out and a crack report drawn up. This is free of charge for you. For this it is important that the killed farm animal has not yet been disposed of. Leave the killed animal in place and secure it with a tarpaulin to protect it from scavengers. Do not allow dogs near it and cordon off the area.

If an attack by a wolf or lynx cannot be ruled out, you can submit an application for financial compensation to the competent authority.

Please contact the Lynx and Wolf Coordination Center (KLUWO) to apply for compensation.

• Lynx and Wolf Coordination Center (KLUWO)

The prerequisite for crack compensation is a crack report by the KLUWO. In designated prevention areas and buffer zones to prevention areas, adequate herd protection using (electric) fences and/or livestock guarding dogs is also a prerequisite for compensation.

Westerwald prevention area: Altenkirchen, Westerwald and Neuwied districts as well as the city of Koblenz and parts of the Mayen-Koblenz and Rhine-Lahn districts.

Eifel buffer zone: municipalities of Adenau, Gerolstein, Prüm

Characteristics for determining cracks caused by animals can be found below:

• Crack characteristics

A written application is required.

There are no fees.

The report of the torn farm animal should be made within 24 hours via the general hotline (06306-911199).

Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Appendix II)

• Berne Convention (Annex II)
• EC Regulation 338/97
• COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 92/43/EEC of May 21, 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora
• Federal Nature Conservation Act (BNatSchG)
• Animal Welfare Act (TierSchG)
• State Nature Conservation Act (LNatSchG)

• Lynx and wolf in Rhineland-Palatinate
• Promotion of herd protection

• Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy and Mobility

Please report cracks with suspected lynx or wolf immediately to the central hotline or by e-mail.

09.08.2023

How is a case of damage officially recognized?

KLUWO carries out the on-site crack assessment free of charge for the animal owner. A crack report on traces, external injuries etc. is drawn up and it is decided whether a detailed examination of the animal should be carried out at the State Investigation Office (LUA) in Koblenz. The animal owner is informed of the determined cause of death.

What exactly is compensated?

If wolves or lynx cannot be ruled out as the cause of the damage, the livestock owner can submit an application for compensation to the KLUWO. The amount of damage is determined using the estimation table of the Rhineland-Palatinate Animal Disease Fund based on current values. The average market value is used depending on breed, sex, age, weight, performance group and other characteristics, such as pregnancy or breeding.

Compensation is also paid for consequential damage incurred on the livestock owner's premises (fences, disposal of animal carcasses). Claims are settled via the KLUWO; the current legal requirements for subsidies must be observed. When a prevention area is designated, a transitional period of one year applies for prevention measures (see 5.1). During this period, the full compensation payment can be made even if no prevention measures are in place.