Possible pack formation: Canton Schwyz must suspend the culling of a wolf

Due to the problematic behaviour of a single male wolf, the cantonal government of Canton Schwyz ordered on 9 May 2025 the culling of this wolf within a defined culling perimeter on the territory of the municipalities of Schübelbach and Vorderthal, the canton writes.

Since then, however, no wolves have been sighted within the culling perimeter. No culling has therefore taken place to date. Based on current photos from a camera trap as part of the expanded monitoring programme, there is a possibility that a female wolf has given birth to pups in the vicinity of the culling perimeter, meaning pack formation could be occurring. This constitutes a new legal situation under federal law.

Interventions in wolf packs require federal approval

Under federal hunting legislation, proactive interventions in wolf packs are only permitted with the prior approval of the Federal Office for the Environment and exclusively during the regulation period from 1 September to 31 January. In the field, it is not possible to determine whether a wolf sighted in the area is a member of the pack or not. There is therefore currently a risk that, in the event of a culling, a member of the potential pack could be killed, which would not be legal. The Federal Office for the Environment has therefore called on the canton to suspend the current culling order. The cantonal government is now complying with this request.

Further observations are intended to provide clarity

By intensifying observations in the area, further information on the potential formation of a pack is to be gathered. Should the suspicion of pack formation be confirmed, the canton will no longer be entitled to issue shooting orders independently and will apply to the Federal Office for the Environment for proactive regulation of the wolf population.

They are incapable of it, the cantons. It was already clear on 9 May 2025 that multiple wolves are present there. Yet the naysayers and wolf-haters, the reactionaries and the poorly educated from the ranks of the SVP, drive politicians before them like cattle to the slaughter. – IG Wild beim Wild

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