Criticism of the State Office for the Environment in Schleswig-Holstein
The Naturschutzinitiative e.V. (NI), as a recognised nature conservation association, advocates for compliance with existing law. In this case, the issue concerns the shooting of a rare animal — the golden jackal — a decision that was made with remarkable speed.
The golden jackal on Sylt was released for hunting on the basis of just two predation incidents in which its involvement was clearly established.
This information comes from a letter sent by the State Office for the Environment to the Administrative Court of Schleswig-Holstein.
The State Office for Agriculture and Sustainable Rural Development (LfU) in Schleswig-Holstein reported that a total of 76 livestock were killed between 19 and 21 May 2025. However, DNA from the golden jackal could only be detected in two of four samples. In the other samples, only the genus "canids" could be identified.
In a press release, the Ministry of the Environment referred to "several predation incidents" — a misleading characterisation, given that only two incidents are linked to the golden jackal.
- It is misleading to speak of "several predation incidents". The LfU should have referred to only two incidents from the outset.
- The figure of 76 animals should be corrected to reflect the actual number of attacks attributable to the golden jackal.
It appears that the case for shooting the golden jackal is being bolstered by an inflated portrayal of events. One might also conclude that the press and the public were presented with a distorted account.
The LfU acknowledges that the sheep on Sylt were ineffectively protected against predators such as golden jackals, foxes, or wolves.
The arguments in favour of the shooting are questionable
The arguments put forward to justify the shooting — such as "dyke protection" and "meadow bird conservation" — appear to be pretexts deployed to reinforce the supposed necessity of the kill.
The golden jackal that has migrated to Sylt is not invasive, but a native species protected under European law. Killing should only be the last resort when no other solutions exist.
There are legal alternatives to shooting, such as capturing and relocating the jackal to another location. There are indications that the jackal approaches the sheep closely, which facilitates capture, even though hobby-hunters claim the opposite.
Nature Conservation Initiative (NI): Non-lethal solutions are possible
The NI demands in a press release that alternative, non-lethal methods be examined. It is important to find a solution that protects the jackal rather than simply killing it.
Sheep can also be protected from predators on dykes. Animal protection law stipulates that animal keepers are responsible for protecting their animals.
The NI wishes to emphasize that it is necessary to take the situation seriously and to uphold the rights of protected animals.
