Wildlife authorities in Norway are taking divergent approaches to ongoing bear activity, extending a culling permit in Ringsaker while closing permissions in Saltdal and Ringebu. The decision in Innlandet follows documented livestock losses, whereas northern management officials opted against extensions after finding no further injured or dead sheep.
Permit Extended in Ringsaker Amid Documented Livestock Losses
Management officials in Innlandet have opted to keep a culling authorization active following verified predation on local flocks. The permit covering Øyer, Lillehammer, and Ringsaker municipalities was extended on Friday afternoon, according to confirmation from senior adviser Ståle Sørensen at the County Governor’s office in Innlandet.
Authorities originally issued the culling order on Monday. Official documentation confirms that the bear has killed five sheep within Ringsaker since the initial authorization went into effect. The updated permit shifts geographic boundaries to cover portions of Ringsaker and Hamar municipalities, remaining active until the following Friday.
Contrasting Decisions Across Ringebu and Saltdal Jurisdictions
While Innlandet officials prolonged the hunt in the Ringsaker area, adjacent operations faced a different outcome. The culling authorization targeting the bear in Ringebu expired on the same day and will not be renewed. Sørensen noted that the decision stems from an absence of additional injured or dead livestock discoveries in that sector.
A similar conclusion was reached further north. The County Governor in Nordland determined that no extension would be granted for the active bear culling permit in Saltdal. Wildlife camera footage from photographer Tom Ruså captured regional monitoring efforts leading up to the closure.
Management Strategy Highlights Regional Disparities
While the Innlandet division responded directly to documented predation totaling five lost sheep, the lack of fresh physical evidence in Ringebu and Saltdal brought immediate halts to authorized operations.
With the updated Ringsaker and Hamar permit slated to run through the end of the week, oversight remains tied strictly to ongoing field verifications and damage reports submitted to the County Governor’s administration.
