Swiss perspectives in 10 languages

Wolf killed in southern Switzerland after sheep attack

Wolf exhibition
A stuffed wolf that was part of an exhibition in Stans, canton Nidwalden, in 2019. © Keystone / Alexandra Wey

A wolf has been shot dead in the village of Lumino, near Bellinzona, in canton Ticino. The local government had authorised the shooting on December 21 after a wolf attacked sheep in the area.

Another wolf had already been shot dead in early December 40 kilometres further north in the Val Blenio area. Other wolves had been spotted in recent months in the Magadino, Val Onsernone and Val Colla regions. There have also been numerous reports of harm to livestock.

Last spring local farmers placed dead sheep in front of a Bellinzona government building in protest at a sheep attack in the Valle Maggia region. They demanded more effective measures against wolf attacks.

More

In December 2022, the Swiss parliament agreed to a more proactive regulation of wolf packs in Switzerland, which is home to an estimated 200 wolves, mainly in the Alps. A rise in attacks on livestock has prompted calls for the wolf population to be limited.

Under existing legislation, the wolf is a protected species and it is only possible to regulate them if significant damage or serious danger has occurred. It should now be possible to shoot the predator before it attacks its prey.

Two years ago voters rejected an overhaul of the hunting laws amid controversy about the regulation of wolves.

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
More
A hunter with a deer on his shoulders

More

Are hunters an endangered species in Switzerland?

This content was published on Mario Theus, a forester, hunter and filmmaker, discusses his new film, which he hopes will open viewers’ eyes to a world “hardly anyone understands”.

Read more: Are hunters an endangered species in Switzerland?

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

News

Property prices continue to rise

More

Swiss property prices continue to rise

This content was published on Prices of owner-occupied homes rose in the third quarter of 2024 by 0.5%, with inflation affecting both apartments and single-family houses, says the Federal Statistical Office.

Read more: Swiss property prices continue to rise

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