Information indicates that the canid had a lighter coloured coat than a wolf, the Graubünden cantonal Hunting and Fishing Office said on Friday. The result of the genetic analysis to confirm whether it was a hybrid is expected in May.
Its presence was first flagged last December near Domodossola in Italy from where it is believed to have migrated to the southern Swiss canton of Ticino and then made its way as far as the Rhine Valley in Graubünden. The age if the animal has not yet been confirmed. A DNA sample from the animal has been sent to the conservation biology laboratory of the University of Lausanne for analysis.
According to the Federal Hunting Act, suspected hybrids must be shot by the cantonal authorities if there are reasonable grounds for suspicion. The shooting of the animal in Graubünden was carried out in agreement with the Federal Office for the Environment.
No hybrid problem yet
For reasons of species protection, it is important that hybrid animals are killed so that they cannot reproduce, the Hunting and Fishing Office of the Canton of Graubünden pointed out. Otherwise, this could have long-term negative consequences for wolf populations.
In 2019, a study commissioned by the Federal Office for the Environment confirmed that wolf populations in Switzerland do not show signs of hybridisation with dogs. However, this is not the case in some neighbouring countries, notably Italy, where hybridisation is due to the presence of packs of stray dogs.
So far, there is no proof of the existence of wolf-dog hybrids in Switzerland. An animal suspected of being a wolf-dog hybrid was killed at the end of January in the Valais. However, DNA analysis showed that it was a genetically pure wolf.
What do you think Switzerland’s Alain Berset can bring to the Council of Europe?
The former interior minister is to become the first Swiss Secretary General of the Council of Europe – which issues should his five-year term focus on?
How is your country dealing with the return of stolen artifacts?
Western nations like Switzerland often have to deal with the process of recovering or returning looted artifacts which have been illegally imported. What’s the situation like in your country?
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
Alpine wolves show scant signs of cross-breeding with dogs
This content was published on
Scientists have shown that just a small portion of wolves in the Swiss Alps show traces of cross-breeding with their dog cousins.
This content was published on
Switzerland is experiencing the summer of the wolf as reports of new attacks and sightings roll in from around the country.
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.