Wolf shot in canton Valais

Swiss game wardens have killed the male wolf suspected of attacking livestock in canton Valais.

The wolf was shot in the Montana-Varneralp area, local authorities announced on Wednesday. He had been spotted near a herd of cattle.

Officials had approved the shooting on August 3 following two separate attacks on calves which left two dead and one injured in late July.

On August 10, DNA tests proved that a male wolf originally from an Italian pack was responsible for killing sheep in early July – along with his mate, who was first seen in Valais a year ago. However, it is unclear whether the wolves actually attacked the cattle.

This was the first time in years that a wolf pairing had taken place in the wild in Switzerland. Wildlife experts believe the pair may have three-month-old pups.

For now, the female wolf is safe since the Valais authorities only permitted the shooting of one wolf. But environmentalists are disappointed.

“Canton Valais has slain a wolf but they haven’t solved the problem,” WWF wolf expert Kurt Eichenberger said in a statement, adding that what was needed was sufficient measures to protect livestock.

swissinfo.ch and agencies