Death of the Westerwald Bison: Mercy Killing or Breach of the Law?
Following the death of a bison in the Westerwald, the question arises: was the shooting a mercy killing or a circumvention of the closed season?
The bison bull that had been living in the Westerwald for over a year was, according to media reports, apparently found exhausted and injured near Selters last week and shot by a hobby hunter.
As the animal belongs to a strictly protected species, a full investigation into the shooting is absolutely necessary, particularly given that the removal of the animal had been repeatedly demanded by forestry and hunting interests in the past.
The wild animal had reportedly broken several legs, and a maggot infestation had already been identified. It is believed to have been lying in the same spot in the forest near Selters for some considerable time.
The Westerwald bison bull had wandered from a resettlement project in the Rothaar Mountains in North Rhine-Westphalia into Rhineland-Palatinate and had already been living in the Neuwied district for over a year.
According to Germany's Red List, bison have been considered extinct since 2009. «Since bison are strictly protected under Section 7(2)(14) of the Federal Nature Conservation Act and enjoy a year-round closed season, it is important to us that the case is fully investigated«, says Cosima Lindemann, chair of NABU Rhineland-Palatinate. «Especially against the backdrop of the repeatedly expressed desire to remove the animal, which had been held responsible for considerable damage to forestry and hunting infrastructure, the question arises as to why the animal was found in such poor condition and allegedly had to be put out of its misery.»
The investigation called for by NABU is intended to demonstrate that no attempt was made to circumvent the animal's year-round closed season. «We welcome the securing of the killed animal and the planned examination at the State Investigation Office, and see these as important steps towards achieving clarity in this matter«, said Lindemann.
In recent weeks, the bison bull allegedly destroyed high seats while rubbing against them, gnawed on trees, and caused a road accident.
