Rendered dormant for over a century, Dutch farmers are once again calling for the “wolvenjager” – the wolf hunter – to be unleashed.

Wolves were driven out of the Netherlands in the late 19th century, but after the feared predators were deemed untouchable under a “strict protection” order issued by the EU in 2015, they have returned.

Now, wolves are ravaging livestock across the country’s farms every day, leaving meadows peppered with mutilated carcasses.

A sharp rise in attacks on livestock and pets – including on Ursula von der Leyen’s own beloved pony – convinced the EU to downgrade the protection order in December, placing the onus on member states to devise their own responses to wolves from March onwards.

The decision has left rival groups jostling for the ear of Dutch politicians: farmers, who are in favour of culling, and animal rights groups, who fear an open season on the animals.

Officials have as of yet provided no clear direction on how to handle the nine packs of wolves roaming the Netherlands.