Swiss issue another green light to cull troublesome wolf pack
Keystone
The Swiss authorities have granted a third canton permission to cull a problematic wolf pack responsible for attacks on sheep.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/ds
The Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) decided on Monday that three young wolves from the Beverin pack in the southeastern canton of Graubünden can be shot but a breeding adult male should be spared. The cantons of Vaud and Valais each got clearance to kill wolves last week.
The green light for Graubünden comes in response to a request from cantonal authorities concerned by the increasingly bold behavior of these predators.
Bold behaviour
In a letter submitted on August 23, the Graubünden authorities noted attacks on sheep herds despite protection measures, an attack on a flock’s guard dog while the shepherdess was present, and an approach on hikers.
This is the second time that the Beverin pack is culled. In 2019, federal authorities had approved the shooting of four young wolves. Wildlife wardens were able to shoot three of them and a fourth was killed while crossing a road.
The shooting of wolves is intended to induce a change in behaviour within the pack, according to FOEN. If possible, it recommends shooting young wolves when they are among other members of the pack and in the vicinity of dwellings or herds of livestock.
There are currently about 130 wolves and at least 11 packs in Switzerland. Hunting rules were adapted on July 15, 2021 in consideration of the difficulties faced by regions with wolf populations, notes FOEN.
Last month, the Swiss Farmer’s Union sounded the alarm over the rise in the number of livestock attacks in Graubünden, Vaud and Valais, calling them a threat to the “Alpine economy.”
The KORA foundation, which monitors carnivores in Switzerland, estimates that wolves kill 300-500 sheep and goats per year.
Popular Stories
More
Climate adaptation
Why Switzerland is among the ten fastest-warming countries in the world
Train vs plane: would you take a direct train between London and Geneva?
Eurostar is planning to run direct trains from Britain to Germany and Switzerland from the early 2030s. Would you favour the train over the plane? If not, why not?
Legal action filed against Swiss purchase of Israeli drones
This content was published on
Legal action aims to put an end to the delivery of the six Elbit reconnaissance drones already plagued by delays and setbacks.
Higher direct payments fail to curb scrub encroachment on alpine pastures
This content was published on
The scrub encroachment on Swiss alpine pastures leads to the loss of grassland and damages the typical landscape. It is also responsible for the decline in biodiversity. Despite higher direct payments, the bushes continue to spread.
Head of Swiss financial regulator’s Banks division quits
This content was published on
Thomas Hirschi, head of the Banks division of the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA will leave at the end of August.
Swiss population satisfied with life according to survey
This content was published on
In a survey, the population of German-speaking and French-speaking Switzerland expressed general satisfaction with their lives. Respondents were less happy with politics and their personal finances, according to the online comparison service Moneyland.
WHO ‘extremely concerned’ about growing vaccination scepticism
This content was published on
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), vaccination scepticism and a collapse in funding for vaccination campaigns pose a major threat to the health of the world's population.
High-net-worth individuals prioritise well-being over material possessions
This content was published on
The priorities of wealthy private individuals have shifted against the backdrop of ongoing geopolitical tensions and trade disputes. While spending on luxury goods is declining, demand for travel and experiences is unabated.
Swiss researchers sequence genome of 1918 Spanish flu virus
This content was published on
Researchers from the Universities of Basel and Zurich (UZH) have sequenced the genome of the Spanish flu virus, thanks to a sample taken from an 18-year-old Swiss boy who died in the city on the Limmat in 1918, when the pandemic spread around the world.
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.