Natural selection

Staatsbosbeheer uses a reactive management model to manage the herds of large grazers. Animals which, as a result of natural selection, isolate themselves from the herd to die or who – due to injury or disease – have ended up in a situation which entails no end to their suffering, are shot.
The core idea being that decisions on shooting should not pre-empt natural selection, but should follow it. It is natural selection that determines which animals will survive. Once it becomes apparent that an animal is going to die, pointless suffering is prevented by killing the animal.
This is referred to as reactive policy in contrast to proactive policy whereby animals selected by humans are shot before the winter starts.

90%

The objective of the procedures pertaining to shooting is that 90% of the animals which have to be shot for welfare reasons are to be killed while they can still stand. This percentage is achieved in practice. However, not all animals can be found in an area such as the Oostvaardersplassen.

Guarantee

The current policy with regard to the large grazers is based on the available standards and is carried out meticulously. A veterinary supervisory committee supports Staatsbosbeheer’s staff who implement the policy. Staatsbosbeheer also has its own vets who regularly visit the Oostvaardersplassen.