Third of Swiss support preventive wolf culls
A third of the population is in favour of preventive wolf culls. In contrast, 46% reject them. Approval also increases with age. Almost half of 60- to 79-year-olds are in favour of shooting wolves before the animals cause damage.
Among 18- to 29-year-olds, however, the figure is only 20%, as the opinion research institute YouGov (formerly Link) announced on Friday in a survey it described as representative. Those in favour of shooting wolves argue that they have no natural enemies and that packs need to be regulated by humans.
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Those against shooting wolves justify their position by arguing that the measure would not be necessary if livestock were better protected. 31% agreed that it would be pointless to introduce wolves and then shoot them as a preventative measure. 26% see wolves as important for biodiversity.
The preventive shooting of wolves is of concern to the population, as the survey also showed. One-third of survey respondents stated that they had heard, seen or read something on the subject two to three times in the last three months. A further 34% had been made aware of the issue on a weekly to daily basis.
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The introduction of wolves was considered important by 32% of respondents. The settlement of the ibex was rated as more important by 76%. The reintroduction of bearded vultures was of middle importance with 56%. The reintroduction of lynx and beaver were each considered important by 47%.
YouGov surveyed 1,260 people aged 18 and over in Switzerland between February 23 and 26 in a standardised online survey.
Adapted from German by DeepL/kc/amva
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