Description
The Sainte-Baume Regional Nature Park is a limestone massif located at the interface of the Bouches du Rhône and Var departments.
Situated between several other major limestone massifs, the Parc de la Sainte-Baume has a major responsibility in terms of protecting the ecological connections in Basse-Provence.
As part of its mission to protect environments and species, the Park is
implementing actions to support and manage pastoralism, in order to maintain
the presence of these practices in the area and limit the closure of
environments, which is sometimes necessary for the survival of certain species
of insects or birds.
However, the continued existence of these pastoral practices is now
compromised by the presence of the wolf and the need to protect the herds with
specialised dogs.
Although the Park is home to four wolf packs in a relatively small area, there have been few reports of wolves attacking livestock in comparison with other areas of the Var.
Despite the relatively limited impact of the wolf on the local economy, some farmers, managers, elected representatives and local residents have a poor understanding of its presence and its effects (behaviour, fear of attacks, protection methods, etc.).
These misunderstandings, which are linked to a lack of knowledge of this species in rural areas, lead to tensions over the presence of herds and, in particular, guard dogs.
The role of the Parc de la Sainte-Baume is to help reconcile the issues at stake in the area: ensuring the conservation of the wolf while limiting the negative impact on the local economy, supporting pastoral practices and maintaining open environments while avoiding negative interactions between walkers and guard dogs.