Within the space of a year, the wolf population has grown in Switzerland. According to the latest estimates of the Swiss Wolf GroupExternal link released on Sunday, at least seven wolf packs live in the country compared to four in the previous year. A pack is defined as a territorial wolf population of three or more socialised animals of both sexes.
The updated figures are from the biological year that runs from the beginning of May 2019 to the end of April 2020. Assuming a minimum of seven wolf packs, it is estimated that there are now between 60 to 70 wolves in Switzerland.
The packs live in the cantons of Graubünden (Surselva, Obersaxen, Beverin), Valais (Val d’Anniviers, Val d’Entremont, Chablais) and Vaud (Col du Marchairuz). Solitary individuals are also present in the Bernese Oberland and Central Switzerland. In total, the number of packs could be as many as nine, according to the Swiss Wolf Group. The status of two groups, one in the Calanda massif in Graubünden and the other in the Ticino’s Valle Morobbia, remains unclear.
Seven new births were also confirmed, according to the Swiss Wolf Group; three in Valais and three in Graubünden, and one in the canton of Vaud.
More
More
Wolves: welcome or worrying?
This content was published on
Should an area in south-western Switzerland be a predator-free zone? A local initiative wants to eliminate protected species like wolves.
Report finds serious security flaws in Swiss hospital information systems
This content was published on
The IT systems of several Swiss hospitals suffer from serious security flaws, according to the National Testing Institute for Cybersecurity (NTC).
Cost of leisure activities rises dramatically in Switzerland
This content was published on
The Swiss paid more for leisure activities in December. Prices for vacation apartments, package tours and cable cars rose significantly.
New Swiss epidemic surveillance centre inaugurated
This content was published on
The Centre for Pathogen Bioinformatics was inaugurated in Bern on Thursday. It aims to improve epidemics monitoring in Switzerland using genomic data.
This content was published on
Switzerland, as a member of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), signed a free trade agreement with Thailand during WEF.
This content was published on
The federal audit office has criticised the Swiss government for poor planning of the procurement of six drones from an Israeli supplier.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Swiss parliament makes it easier to hunt wolves, bears and ibexes
This content was published on
Parliament has agreed to renounce adopting national level hunting regulations thereby allowing cantons to make it easier to hunt protected species.
This content was published on
In Switzerland, defenders and opponents of the wolf form irreconcilable camps. Two decades after the return of the predator, which is protected by an international convention, the country is still polarised.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.