Authorities shoot problem wolf
A male wolf has been shot dead in canton Valais a day after environmental groups announced legal motions had been filed to halt the hunt for three wolves.
The animal was killed in the region of Val d’Illiez after getting too close to a herd of sheep, according to cantonal authorities.
Pro Natura and the WWF said on Wednesday a decision to kill the wolves, which were believed to be preying on livestock, was one-sided.
The country’s wolf management plan was “clearly to the detriment” of the canine predators, the groups said.
On Thursday the WFF said it was “outraged” by the shooting, which in its view served neither the wolf nor the sheep.
In addition, the organisation demanded that canton Valais publish the costs of the killing.
Since mid-May more than 100 sheep have been killed by wolves in cantons Valais, Bern, Fribourg and Lucerne. Valais and Lucerne authorities said earlier this month that three wolves involved in these incidents could be shot.
Wolves were driven out of Switzerland in the 19th century. They started to return about ten years ago from neighbouring Italy and have begun to form packs again.
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