Somogy Game Fences: This Much Metal Would Circle Hungary Twice! 🦌

The issue of damage caused by overpopulated game is becoming increasingly serious in the Somogy forests surrounding the southern shore of Lake Balaton. According to local forest managers, wild boars, mouflons, deer and roe deer consume young trees to such an extent that natural forest regeneration has become impossible in many places. This could also affect the forest landscape and the tourist experience around Lake Balaton in the long term. In Somogy County, there is already such a large amount of game damage prevention fencing that it would go around the whole of Hungary twice. Forest inspectors have been observing the deteriorating trend for decades: while in the 1980s it was only occasionally necessary to protect new growth with fences, today even repeated attempts fail to establish new forests in many areas. The problem also directly affects forests near Lake Balaton shore settlements, where hikers and locals alike notice the changed wildlife. Preserving the forest's self-renewal capacity is crucial for the Lake Balaton ecosystem. Excessive game populations weaken the forests' resilience, which could indirectly affect the lake's water quality and the condition of surrounding green areas. Although high game numbers are favourable for hunting associations, the overall economic balance is negative: building and maintaining fences, as well as repeated forest renewal attempts, represent significant costs. Experts say humans should fill the role of apex predator, as wolves have disappeared from the country. In Somogy, however, the necessary culls are often not carried out, further increasing pressure on forest areas. For Lake Balaton holidaymakers and local communities, this means that the familiar natural environment is becoming less and less untouched. 🌲🦌

Source: telex.hu