Swiss authorities have granted wildlife managers permission to kill three more wolves. In two cantons, it has been determined that too many young wolves have been born, based on counts. Each year, half of the young offspring may be hunted.
In addition, the federal authorities are also targeting the M92 leader of the pack in the Beverin nature reserve, “due to his particularly problematic behavior.” This pack has repeatedly caused significant damage to livestock.
Last summer, two cows were even attacked and torn apart there. The canton has mandated that the father animal M92, because of his particularly problematic behavior, must be killed by the end of January at the latest.
Nature conservation organizations WWF, Pro Natura, and the Wolf Schweiz group agreed to this “because it was clear that his behavior could no longer be changed,” according to a statement.
Moreover, two young wolves from the Wannaspitz pack must be shot, the canton of GraubĂĽnden announced on Monday. The wolf hunt is taking place with permission from the Federal Office for the Environment. Earlier this year, several young wolves from both packs had already been killed.
During the summer, wildlife managers were able to confirm higher numbers of pups in the packs than initial observations had suggested. According to federal hunting legislation, up to half of these young animals may be killed as part of a pack management plan.
Switzerland is a signatory to the Bern Convention (protection of wild animal habitats), but has not given the wolf the highest protection status as the EU has. Switzerland has established rules and procedures outlining in which exceptional cases a wolf may be shot.
Attacks by wolves on sheep, goats, and cattle have steadily increased throughout Europe for decades. Currently, more than seventeen thousand wolves are registered across Europe.
European Environment Commissioner Sinkevicius emphasized last month in Brussels that the EU Habitats Directive does not need to be changed in order to control the wolf population in EU countries.