Spines Instead of Wool

Wolf-proof net tested on sheep for the first time

The sheep “Ananas” is set to test the net throughout the summer.(Bild: Elena Überbacher)

For sheep farmer Martin Martin from the Gailtal valley, it’s an experiment. For inventor Rudolf Schaubach, it’s a breakthrough. With his patented sheep net, the 72-year-old from Villach aims to protect the animals from wolves in the future. Now the senior citizen has found someone with whom he can test the net. The “Krone” was there to witness it.

Extraordinary scenes are unfolding on sheep farmer Martin Martin’s farm. The scent of hay, peaceful ewes, a few cute lambs here and there, and a little ways off lies the herding dog “Schlumpf.” Beside them, inventor Rudolf Schaubach is hard at work. He stands bent over his sheep net, which he first needs to cut to size.