Effective eco-protection measures in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region have resulted not only in retrieved lush woodland and pasture, but, to the dismay of herdsmen, increasing packs of wolves.

In the last fortnight over 500 sheep have been killed or injured by wolves, an Urumqi local forestry official reported. It is the first confirmed report of wolf numbers having recovered to such an extent in a Chinese region due to the country's nationwide efforts to improve the eco-environment.

Similar reports have emerged concerning wild boar in recent years in central China's Hubei Province and Beijing's environs.

"We've proposed that the municipal forestry authority take measures, such as helping farmers hunt wolves with guns in order to enable them to effectively guard their sheep, when necessary," said an Urumqi forestry official, surname of Zhao.

In the past, armed local farmers patrolled grazing lands to protect livestock from predatory wolf packs, which used to roam the area in great numbers.

Firearms were, however, banned by the local government in the 1990s. "Excessive grazing and farming had made local woods and grazing lands deteriorate to such an extent they could no longer support the wolves," explained Zhao.

Under national regulations, municipal governments have the power to implement "appropriate" measures to defend people and their property against threats posed by wild animals not classified as "first-rate protected species of the country."

But determining the numbers of wolves to cull remains a challenge. "We have no idea where the balancing point is," said Zhao.

An unnamed official with the Animal and Plant Protection Division under the State Forestry Administration urged caution before coming to any decision, arguing that further investigations are needed to properly assess the situation.

"China's battle against a deteriorating eco-environment is still hard," she said.

She also disclosed that the administration's campaign to highlight mankind's encroachment on the resources of the country's wild animals, codenamed the Spring Thunder Campaign, has been progressing well.

Having saved thousands of wild animals from illegal captivity, the 10-day campaign expects to wrap up this Saturday.

(China Daily April 15, 2003)