Beverin wolf pack likely dissolved after culling
Traces of the Beverin wolf pack in the canton of Graubünden have almost entirely vanished since the winter regulation — despite only two animals having been shot.
Hardly any evidence remaining in the territory
The Graubünden Beverinwolf pack has left almost no trace since the regulation carried out last winter.
Although only two members of the pack were shot, there has since been barely any evidence of wolves in the Beverin pack's range southwest of Thusis. All indications suggest the pack has dissolved.
While the end of 2023 still saw reference to 12 Graubünden packs, the cantonal Office for Hunting and Wildlife's first quarterly predators report now speaks of "at least eleven wolf packs". As the report published on Monday reveals, no more than two animals have been recorded in the Beverin wolves' range since the regulation.Report shows that no more than two animals have been recorded in the Beverin wolves' range since the regulation.
"Since the end of the regulation, the former Beverin pack no longer meets the criteria for a pack," explained Arno Puorger from the Office for Hunting and Wildlife. However, he noted that no defined time period has been established after which a pack would no longer be counted as such.
The question is when the canton can assume it has not simply missed something. "Ultimately, we will only be able to make definitive statements in this regard in summer or autumn," said the official responsible for predators.
The regulation period and its consequences
In total, the canton had intended to eliminate four of the twelve Graubünden wolf packs during the regulation period ending 31 January 2024.
Two of these "complete removals" — which had actually been approved by the Federal Office for the Environment — were blocked by objections. Thewolf hunting proved difficult for the two remaining packs, including the Beverin pack.
Nevertheless, there were already signs in early February that this pack may have disbanded, even though only two wolves were killed.
Young wolves near settlements as a consequence
A male wolf was shot that was the potential father of last year's Beverin pups. In addition, a female animal was killed whose position within the pack remains unclear.
The increased presence of wolves near settlements in recent weeks is a consequence of the uncontrolled killings. These are all young wolves that were scattered by the unscientific shooting apart of their pack by Federal Councillor Albert Rösti.
Dossier: Wolf in Switzerland: Facts, Politics and the Limits of Hunting
Participation campaign: Demand from your municipality, on the basis of the catastrophic policy of Federal Councillor Albert Rösti (SVP), a remission request for federal and cantonal taxes in light of the recently approved shooting of wolves in Switzerland. You can download the template letter here: https://wildbeimwild.com/ein-appell-fuer-eine-veraenderung-in-der-schweiz/
