The Danish Nature Agency (Naturstyrelsen) is facing accusations of violating animal welfare laws due to deplorable conditions for the state-owned cattle herd in Mols Bjerge. In 2021, a veterinarian found serious issues with the animals’ condition, which has now led to charges three years later. Despite the severe conditions, the Danish Animal Protection (Dyrenes Beskyttelse) sees the case as an important milestone in the work towards better animal welfare.
Yvonne Johansen, the animal welfare chief at Danish Animal Protection, stated that the case has been a learning process: “There has been a good learning curve since the case started in 2021, and we have begun to realize the challenges that can be present in nature conservation.” The veterinarian’s examination in 2021 revealed that the animals had a much poorer body condition than usual for a winter period. Even though the Nature Agency began to feed and house the animals, some of them were so weakened that they either died or had to be euthanized. These events have now led to improvements in the animals’ conditions.
In response to the case, the Nature Agency has developed an action plan to systematize and standardize the work on animal welfare. Common standards for emergency plans and veterinary inspections have also been introduced. “The situation in Mols Bjerge should serve as a lesson. It was a costly lesson with some harsh consequences, as it is the animals who pay the price,” says Yvonne Johansen. She stresses the importance of responsibility when caring for animals in nature conservation and the necessity of intervening if the animals encounter issues, especially when they roam freely rather than being housed in barns.
Despite the challenges associated with having cattle in natural areas, Danish Animal Protection continues to support this practice. “I am not concerned about the conditions in nature conservation in Denmark. But of course, one must conduct oversight and keep an eye on the animals to intervene when necessary,” says Yvonne Johansen. She also points out that many places today practice good nature conservation without any issues.