It was supposed to be a good story.
Right down to the roaring waves of the Great Belt, Slagelse Municipality is trying to bring nature back to a larger area that until recently was entirely ordinary farmland.
But 70 cows and – perhaps particularly noteworthy – 20 horses are part of the effort for more biodiversity. They are to stay outside all year round, and this is something that elsewhere in the country has stirred up emotions (https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/indland/aarelang-ballade-om-rewilding-projekt-kulminerer-i-retten-otte-personer-tiltalt-ulovlig-fodring-af).
> We are aware of the feelings this can evoke.
Now, Slagelse Municipality has discovered vandalism to the fence around the animals at Storebælts Klint twice within a month, and given the heated rewilding debate, this is cause for concern for Chris Balle Nørregaard, head of municipal properties in Slagelse Municipality.
- We are aware of the feelings this can evoke, he says.
The electric fence around the animals had been cut in three places. Here, two of the municipality's employees inspect one of the joints. (Photo: © Line Jenvall, DR)
- But we do everything we can to take care of our animals, and we have no interest in them not being well, he continues.
The first horses of the Exmoor breed were released into the area in May, and they are joined by Galloway cows.
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The animals are fed
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It is especially examples of thin horses, etc. (https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/indland/uventet-vidneforklaring-frifinder-ledende-medarbejder-vanroegt) at Molslaboratoriet (https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/indland/reels/molslaboratoriet-skifter-ejere-hvad-har-vi-laert-af-10-aars-rewilding), which have fueled the debate about fencing in nature that is subsequently supposed to manage itself.
> If there is not enough food for the animals, they are fed.
But that is not what is happening at Storebælts Klint, Chris Balle Nørregaard emphasizes.
- If there is not enough food for the animals, they are fed. They are regularly checked by a veterinarian, and we have agreements that someone keeps a close eye on them every day, he says.
It is also part of the story that Molslaboratoriet recently got a new owner in the form of the Hempel Foundation, which upon the takeover announced (https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/indland/ny-ejer-af-omstridt-rewilding-projekt-kritiserer-dyrevelfaerden-de-har-behov-mad-og-det-vil-vi-give) that the horses will be fed in the future.
Also in southern Langeland, in Bøtøskoven on Falster, and at Lindenborg Ådal in North Jutland, so-called wild horses are also roaming in nature, among other places.
Horses and cows have about 220 hectares to roam in down to the Great Belt. (Photo: © Line Jenvall, DR)
The large animals are crucial for biodiversity, says Jens-Christian Svenning, professor of biology at Aarhus University.
- They prevent nature from becoming completely dominated by competitive plants – that is, tall-growing grasses, trees, and bushes – so that there is also room for all the herbs and insects that are associated with more open vegetation, he explains.
> These animals are, in my eyes, probably some of the horses and cows in
> Denmark that have the very best living conditions.
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'Exaggerated'
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Jens-Christian Svenning understands well that Slagelse Municipality is concerned about the debate about horses in nature and calls it "exaggerated" that it should come to the point where, for example, politicians are assaulted (https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/politik/valgmoede-endte-i-tumult-alternativet-kandidat-faar-krisehjaelp).
- It's about some people being concerned about the animals' welfare, but these animals are, in my eyes, probably some of the horses and cows in Denmark that have the very best living conditions, he says.
Slagelse Municipality has now reported the vandalism of the fence at Storebælts Klint to the police.
Specifically, the electric wire fence around the area had been cut in three places, as well as a metal chain that would have required bolt cutters to get through.
That kind of thing requires planning, Chris Balle Nørregaard assesses, and therefore the municipality will keep an extra watchful eye on the fence.
- We have a motorway and a railway line as neighbors, so it worries us if someone cuts a hole with the risk that animals or people might be harmed, he says.
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