Shooting moratorium for the wolf demanded
The association Wildtierschutz Schweiz is calling on the Federal Council and members of the National and Council of States in an open letter to immediately halt all wolf culls and introduce a moratorium for as long as there is no mandatory herd protection in place.
Hardly any other animal or topic is currently more polarising in Switzerland than the wolf.
Positions deeply entrenched
Headlines are filling the media, culls are being demanded by the half-dozen, and the Federal Council is amending a hunting ordinance that was rejected by the people, at its own discretion.Positions are deeply entrenched, rational debate has long since ceased, and a Graubünden cantonal councillor is publicly calling what amounts to poaching against the wolf.
On this basis, it is impossible to pursue a sensible wolf policy. The association Wildtierschutz Schweiz is therefore calling on Federal Councillor Sommaruga to impose an immediate moratorium with a halt to all culls. As long as the legal grounds for a cull are not more clearly defined and verifiable, cull proceedings against wolves must be suspended.
Disinformation and scaremongering
It cannot be acceptable that cull permits are being issued on the basis of inaccurate information, disinformation, and unconfirmed eyewitness accounts. Wildtierschutz Schweiz condemns this irresponsible information policy in the strongest possible terms and demands a cull moratorium.
The information policy of the Office for Hunting and Fishing of Graubünden is also neither serious nor objective. Statements such as “plausible presentation” give serious cause to doubt their accuracy. Inflammatory statements such as “wolves with the potential to endanger humans” are not conducive to an objective wolf policy.
A clear commitment to the wolf demanded
The Wildtierschutz Schweiz association demands a clear commitment to the wolf, enhanced public education about wolf behaviour, and rigorous implementation of herd protection measures. The damage caused by wolves to livestock (approx. 0.28%) is marginal compared to total losses caused by negligence during summer alpine grazing (approx. 1.8%).
Until these points are implemented, the wolf must be protected by a moratorium.The Bern Convention classification of “strictly protected” must be upheld without exception.
Dossier: The Wolf in Switzerland: Facts, Politics, and the Limits of Hunting
