When sheep or other livestock are killed in Schleswig-Holstein, a trained examiner inspects the dead animals. “Ziel einer Rissbegutachtung ist es herauszufinden, ob der Verursacher des Schadens ein Wolf war oder nicht.” The goal is to find out whether a wolf caused the damage.
Where possible, DNA samples are taken from the bite wounds. They are sent to the Senckenberg Institute in Gelnhausen. The state pays compensation on the basis of the assessment, and also when a wolf cannot be ruled out. The payments are voluntary and depend on reasonable protection of the herd.