Hobby sheep farmer unable to protect sheep flock from lynx

An article in the Berner Zeitung describes the dispute over an unusually behaving lynx in the canton of Bern, which has apparently killed several sheep on the Alp Tschingel.

Editorial Team Wild beim Wild — 24 July 2025

While the lynx normally hunts wildlife, this individual displays aberrant behaviour by attacking livestock that have encroached upon its territory due to human activity.

The Bernese hunting inspectorate examined whether the animal could be shot, as it is a protected lynx. However, no shooting order has been issued so far, as the established criteria for a cull — at least 15 confirmed kills — have not yet been met. According to the hunting inspector, this lynx has shown unproblematic behaviour up to now.

Critics such as SVP National Councillor Thomas Knutti are calling for the immediate killing of the lynx on the grounds that it has caused damage, and accuse the authorities of inaction. Knutti is known for his inflammatory advocacy for the shooting of predators, most often targeting the wolf. It is a known fact that approximately 234’000 sheep are led to slaughter annually in Switzerland by people like SVP National Councillor Thomas Knutti. In 2024, over 86 million livestock were slaughtered in Switzerland.

The Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) does not consider the conditions for a shooting order to be met, as the number of confirmed kills is too low. However, there is scope for exceptions that the cantons could invoke in justified cases.

For a kill to be officially recognised, it must be unambiguously attributed to the lynx. On the Alp Tschingel, the canton has confirmed 5 animals as such. Three carcasses were interfered with by griffon vultures and can therefore no longer be unambiguously attributed to the lynx; a further 3 are considered missing. It is understood that the number recognised by the FOEN is even lower than that of the canton of Bern. The canton is therefore far from reaching the required number of confirmed kills.

Overall, it remains unclear whether the lynx will be killed in the coming weeks during the hunt, as sheep owner Toni Michel had already completed the alpine descent with his animals at the beginning of June, and the wild animals have their habitat back.

The lynx was severely emaciated in spring — it had a harsh winter, that is all!