Swiss perspectives in 10 languages

More than 1,000 wolf attacks expected this year

Wolf in Switzerland.
There are currently around 200 wolves and 20 wolf packs in Switzerland roaming mainly in the Alps. Keystone

The number of deadly attacks on livestock by wolves has risen sharply in Switzerland in recent years and is expected to surpass 1,000 this year, says a Swiss wildlife group.

The number of attacks on livestock in Switzerland, home to an estimated 200 wolves, has been rising owing to the increase in the number of wolves and packs roaming mainly in the Alps.

“Within just a few years, wolf populations have increased massively across Switzerland. While there was just one pack in 2012, there are now 20,” Christian Stauffer, managing director of the Swiss-based Kora Foundation toldExternal linkBlick newspaper on Monday.

According to the foundation, which deals with predator ecology and wildlife management, 853 farm animals – mostly sheep and goats, but also cows and donkeys –  were killed last year by wolves; over 1,000 are expected this year. This would surpass the record of 2020 when 922 attacks were registered; in 2012 there were 112.

The main regions affected by wolf attacks are cantons Graubünden, Valais and Ticino.

More

The Swiss government wants to ease restrictions for culling the growing number of wolves in the country. Under the plan submitted to cantons and organisations for consultation, the culling of individual wolves which attack livestock is to be facilitated without the consent of the Federal Office for the Environment. 

The new rules are due to apply to single wolves as well as wolf packs and could come into force next summer. They aim to cover an interim period before parliament has approved a legal reform.

Two years ago voters rejected an overhaul of the hunting laws amid controversy about the regulation of wolves, a protected species in Switzerland.

More
Wild wolf

More

Wolf population thrives in Swiss Alps

This content was published on The number of wolves in the Swiss Alps will continue to grow even if hunting regulations were to be eased according to experts.

Read more: Wolf population thrives in Swiss Alps

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

News

Brienz GR must prepare for another evacuation

More

Swiss village Brienz to be evacuated due to rockslide risk

This content was published on Local authorities announced that up to 1.2 million cubic metres of rock could move towards the mountain village of Brienz. The municipality is preparing a preventive evacuation.

Read more: Swiss village Brienz to be evacuated due to rockslide risk
"With Temu and Shein Swiss merchants lose billions."

More

Swiss businesses losing billions due to Temu and Shein

This content was published on Swiss businesses are losing billions of francs a year as a result of the spread of Chinese online platforms Temu and Shein, says the director of the federation of Swiss retailers.

Read more: Swiss businesses losing billions due to Temu and Shein
Swiss Armed Forces have around 147,000 personnel

More

Number of Swiss armed forces exceeds specified limit

This content was published on The Swiss armed forces had an effective headcount of around 147,000 as of March 1, 2024. This exceeds the upper limit of 140,000 specified in the army organisation by 5%.

Read more: Number of Swiss armed forces exceeds specified limit

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

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.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR