Valais: More Wolves and Fewer Kills
In the canton of Valais, the number of identified wolves has doubled within a year, from nine to eighteen. Nevertheless, fewer livestock were killed. The reason could be improved herd protection.
The cantonal office for hunting, fishing and wildlife (DJFW) has compiled an assessment of the impact of wolf presence in Valais for the period between 1 January and 31 October 2019. During this period, 18 different wolves were identified in the canton, including ten new individuals.
The Valais cantonal office for hunting, fishing and wildlife (DJFW) has compiled an assessment of the impact of wolf presence in Valais for the period between 1 January and 31 October 2019. According to this report, 18 different wolves were identified during this period, including ten new individuals.
In the Chablais, the birth of seven wolf pups has been confirmed, as previously reported. In addition, two to three young wolves were recorded in the Vallon de Rechy and the Val d’Anniviers.
In the same period of the previous year, nine wolves had been counted in Valais, as wildlife biologist Sascha Wellig of the DJFW told the Keystone-SDA news agency on Monday. In 2017, there had been only five wolves. Wellig expects the wolf population in Valais to continue growing in the coming year.
Fewer Kills Despite More Wolves
The damage tally for the observed period in 2019 amounts to 205 livestock. In the previous year, the figure had been 269. Wellig said it was difficult to explain why there had been somewhat fewer kills despite the greater wolf presence. It is possible that herd protection has been improved.
Among wildlife, primarily red deer and roe deer, as well as chamois in some regions, were killed. The kill figures in this category amount to 116. According to the DJFW, however, these figures are not definitive, as the majority of wildlife killed goes undiscovered.
No Shooting Permit Issued
The conditions for granting an individual shooting permit or for regulating the wolf packs are not currently met, the canton of Valais further announced. The economic damage from the kills amounts to 66’615 francs. The federal government covers 80 percent of the costs.
