Dead wolf: serial animal poisoner suspected

The female wolf was found dead on Friday Keystone

Prosecutors are investigating a person believed to have poisoned a wolf in canton Fribourg along with a number of other animals in recent days.

The female wolf was found dead on Friday in the Jaun municipality – an autopsy at the University of Bern has identified poisoning as the most likely cause of death. This follows a series of animals – six foxes, a kite, a cat and a badger – also found poisoned in the locality last week.

The cantonal prosecutor’s office said on Monday that it has opened a criminal investigation into an unnamed individual for suspected violation of animal welfare laws. The individual under investigation has been linked to all the poisonings.

The local authorities have warned dog walkers not to let their pets rummage around in trash in the countryside.

Since reappearing in Switzerland around 20 years ago, wolves have been regularly spotted in the Swiss Alps. The government estimates some 30 to 40 wolves count Switzerland as part of their territory. Last year wolves killed 389 sheep, goats and other farm animals.