Four young wolves in hunters’ sights in eastern Switzerland
A wolf protection group has condemned the decision to allow four young wolves in canton Graubünden to be shot, following attacks on farm animals in the region.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/ilj
The cantonal hunting and fishing department said on FridayExternal link that there have been at least 15 attacks on goat herds – which were protected through special anti-wolf measures – which means the wolfpack’s behaviour can now be classified as “problematic”.
The decision to target the young wolves comes in order to protect the parent animals. The hunting order is valid immediately and continues until March 31, 2020, and has been approved by the Federal Office for the Environment.
The parent wolves had already attacked 59 sheep last year and the number is 40 so far this year, the head of Graubünden’s hunting and fishing department Adrian Arquint told Keystone-SDA.
Arquint’s department had confirmed the presence of a wolfpack on the Piz Beverin three months ago. Arquint said there are currently 30 wolves in canton Graubünden, with 17 born this year alone.
In a statement it added that the regulations were not used enough to protect animals in the wolf-affected areas or to increase acceptance of wolves. The federal authorities’ guidelines for herd protection were so weak that wolves were still attacking animals, it said and called for better protection measures.
In September parliament made it easier to hunt wolves, bears and ibexes, giving cantons more freedom to decide when an animal should be culled after consulting the Federal Office for the Environment.
More
More
Swiss parliament makes it easier to hunt wolves, bears and ibexes
This content was published on
Parliament has agreed to renounce adopting national level hunting regulations thereby allowing cantons to make it easier to hunt protected species.
This content was published on
Should an area in south-western Switzerland be a predator-free zone? A local initiative wants to eliminate protected species like wolves.
This content was published on
Nemo brought the Eurovision Song Contest to Switzerland with a victory on Saturday evening in Malmö, Sweden. It is Switzerland's third victory in the history of the music contest.
Switzerland abstains from vote on Palestinian bid for full UN membership
This content was published on
On Friday, Switzerland abstained from the vote at the General Assembly on granting the Palestinians new rights at the United Nations (UN).
Protein in abdominal fat could help shape obesity treatment
This content was published on
The study analysed fat cells from different locations in the body, and found that those in the abdomen have unique properties.
North African asylum claims fall after rapid Swiss processing
This content was published on
The accelerated procedure, now out of its test phase, has resulted in a significant drop in applications from North African countries.
This content was published on
The artist's song "The Code" focuses on their journey as a nonbinary individual. It is one of the favourites to win this year's contest.
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.
Read more
More
Wolf pack discovered in western Switzerland
This content was published on
Camera-traps set up to monitor wolves have identified a previously unknown pack of the predators comprising three adults and seven pups.
Why the Swiss would rather protect whisky than wolves
This content was published on
Livestock owners are likely raising a glass to toast lawmakers who on June 11 took clear aim at Switzerland’s meagre wolf population.
This content was published on
The Swiss Wolf Group’s latest study indicates that 98 wolf packs were active in Alpine regions between May 2017 and April of this year, 23 more packs than the previous year. Four of the packs are roaming in Switzerland – two in canton Valais and one each in Graubünden and Ticino – amounting to between…
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.