Wolf shot in canton Valais
A gamekeeper has shot the wolf living in the Val d'Hérens in canton Valais. The predator signed its own death warrant after killing 321 sheep in 18 months.
The wolf was killed on Friday above Evolène with a single bullet through the heart. It was a male weighing 34 kilogrammes who was between three and five years old. The body of the animal has been sent to Berne’s veterinary hospital for examination.
The Federal Environment Agency gave the authorisation to shoot the wolf in May despite the fact that the animal belongs to a protected species. The agency decided to take action when the predator had already killed or wounded 271 sheep.
Agency spokesman, Rolf Wespe, said at the time that the decision was taken because the general environment needed to be protected.
Attempts are underway to re-introduce the wolf into Switzerland. The species disappeared in the last century after its original forest habitat was destroyed. The animal from Val d’Hérens is believed to have come from Italy.
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