Sheepdog’s revival may deter farmers from killing wolves

An ancient breed of sheepdog is being recruited to protect livestock in a campaign to encourage the return of wolves to the mountains of Portugal.

Dozens of Serra da Estrela mountain dog puppies are to be trained as sheepdogs to help farmers ward off attacks from wolves, as the species makes a comeback.

The idea is that shepherds who have dogs that can fight off wolf attacks are less likely to want to kill the predators.

The project, organised by the conservation organisation Rewilding Europe, involves up to 100 Estrela mountain dogs being entrusted to farmers in the Serra de Montemuro region of northern Portugal, where wolves are making a comeback.

In Portugal, there are about 300 endangered Iberian wolves — a subspecies of the grey wolf — and conservationists want to expand the population, while trying to manage any conflict with landowners. That is where the dogs come in.

If they are introduced to sheep flocks when they are puppies, the powerful breed forges strong protective bonds.

The dogs were used by shepherds until the early 20th century, when shooting and poisoning came to be regarded as a quicker and easier way of combating the wolf threat.

The wolf has been a protected species in Portugal since 1988 but that has not prevented many animals from being killed.

“This is a breed that has been used in the region for centuries,” Deli Saavedra, a regional manager for Rewilding Europe, said.

“The wolf population in the region is small and scattered at the moment, but when it grows there will be the potential for conflict.

“The dogs are big animals and they are capable of protecting the sheep.”