The European Wildcat has been chosen by the Swiss wildlife conservation organisation Pro Natura as its Animal of Year in 2020. The Swiss Fisheries Association has bestowed a similar honour on the trout.
Pro NaturaExternal link’s choice of the wildcat reflects the animal’s revival from near extinction to gaining a toehold in the Swiss forests of the Jura mountains in the northwest of the country. From there it is hoped the furtive creature can spread to central Switzerland and the foothills of the Alps.
Conservationists have redoubled their efforts to keep track of health of the wildcat populations by analysing hairs that they leave behind whilst marking their territories – typically several square kilometres for each of the solitary animals.
The Swiss Fisheries AssociationExternal link, on the other hand, is highlighting the declining fortunes of the trout. Once common in Swiss waterways, anglers are now reporting an alarming drop in numbers of the speckled fish.
A multitude of factors is believed to be behind the decline in trout stocks: rivers being diverted for human use, increased pollution from sewage, pesticides and manure, climate change raising water temperatures and drying out waterways plus the threat of fish-eating birds such as cormorants.
This content was published on
Seven years after the death of record-breaking Swiss mountain climber Ueli Steck, his estate is going to the Alpine Museum of Switzerland in Bern.
Swiss justice minister hopes EU reform will reduce irregular migration
This content was published on
The European Union’s (EU) New Pact on Migration and Asylum aims to curb irregular migration within Schengen, Justice Minister Beat Jans said on Tuesday.
Swiss electricity supply outlook positive despite uncertainties
This content was published on
Thanks to well-filled gas stores in Europe and increased availability of French nuclear power, the Swiss Federal Electricity Commission is optimistic.
Finance minister wants Swiss banks to hold more equity
This content was published on
Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter has repeated calls for banks and their holdings in subsidiaries abroad to hold more equity.
Telecoms sector kept Swiss competitions regulator busy in 2023
This content was published on
Last year, the Swiss Competition Commission (COMCO) conducted 27 investigations and initiated 17 preliminary investigations.
This content was published on
Although Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) achieved higher revenue at the start of the year, it suffered a dip in profits.
40,000 signatures against animal testing in Switzerland
This content was published on
Switzerland should do away with “restrictive” animal testing and should become a model for innovative, effective, and pain-free scientific research.
More than 45,000 signatures in favour of federal funding for UNRWA
This content was published on
The Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives (FAC) is expected to decide on the funding of the UNRWA at the beginning of the week.
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.