Switzerland: Initiative wants to hunt wolf, bear and lynx

Wolves, as well as bears, lynxes and birds of prey, should be allowed to be hunted.

This is intended to regulate populations and prevent the uncontrolled proliferation of these animal species. A newly launched and fact-free popular initiative calls for a corresponding constitutional article.

Fact-free initiative in the Federal Gazette

The initiative «for effective regulatory measures against the uncontrolled spread of wolf, lynx, bear and birds of prey of all kinds» was published in the Federal Gazette on 30 January 2024. The committee has until 30 July 2025 to collect the 100’000 valid signatures required for the initiative to succeed.

Specifically, the slipshod initiative demands that wolves, bears and lynxes, as well as «birds of prey» not further defined in the text, be allowed to be hunted, with the aim of preventing them from spreading «uncontrolled». Birds of prey include not only species such as the golden eagle and bearded vulture, but also common buzzards and red kites.

Wolf, bear and lynx are protected in Switzerland. In November, the federal government approved the preventive culling of twelve wolf packs. The animals may be killed before they cause damage. However, courts temporarily halted the culls in the cantons of Graubünden and Valais. Birds of prey are not huntable under the Hunting Act and are likewise protected.

Political background of the initiative

Behind the hopeless initiative stands a committee led by Bernese cantonal councillor Madeleine Amstutz. The Sigriswil politician was expelled from the SVP Canton of Bern for standing as a candidate on lists not affiliated with the SVP, thereby violating the party statutes.

This is not the first initiative concerning predators. Signatures are currently being collected for the popular initiative «for the protection of people, domestic animals and livestock from the wolf». It seeks to enshrine in the constitution that wolves may be hunted year-round, with protection remaining only within the Swiss National Park.

The canton of Valais clearly approved the popular initiative «For a Canton of Valais without large predators» in November 2021. Since the regulation of predators is a federal matter, the initiative was understood as a signal to Bern.

Dossier: Wolf in Switzerland: Facts, Politics and the Limits of Hunting

Participatory campaign: Demand a tax remission request from your municipality for federal and cantonal taxes, on the grounds of the disastrous policy of Federal Councillor Albert Rösti (SVP) and the recently approved culling of wolves in Switzerland. You can download the template letter here: https://wildbeimwild.com/ein-appell-fuer-eine-veraenderung-in-der-schweiz/