Shooting of two wolves ordered

In the canton of Valais, State Councillor Jacques Melly has ordered the shooting of two wolves in the regions of Goms and Val d'Anniviers. The permits for one wolf shot in each of the two regions are based on the provisions of federal hunting legislation and its ordinance.

In the Goms region, predation incidents increased sharply from mid-August 2018 through the previous weekend. At least 23 sheep were killed and ten injured on protected alpine pastures. Since damage had already been recorded in the previous year and more than 15 sheep had been killed on protected pastures, the conditions for the individual culling of a wolf in the Goms are met under Art. 9 of the Federal Hunting Ordinance (JSV).

In the ranging territory of the Augstbord – Val d'Anniviers – Vallon de Réchy wolf packs identified over the past two years, no pack situation as defined by the Wolf Switzerland concept could be established by early September of this year, despite monitoring using camera traps, DNA analyses and acoustic traps. The Wildlife, Hunting and Fishing Service (DJFW) therefore concludes, on the basis of these facts, that no wolf pack is currently present in the aforementioned area.

In Val d'Anniviers, at least 39 sheep were killed during the course of the alpine season, meaning the conditions for an individual cull had been met.

Legal basis lacking in Val d'Anniviers

The Group Wolf Switzerland (GWS) firmly rejects the culling permit for a wolf in Val d'Anniviers and considers it a clear breach of the law. The area is considered a pack territory, which means the shooting of an individual animal is not permitted. Furthermore, the required minimum level of herd protection on the alpine pastures affected by predation had not been in place.

In the Val d'Anniviers, a wolf pack with at least two pups was documented last year. This year, evidence of reproduction has not yet been established. However, several indications point to the continued presence of the pack.

The alpine pastures near Zinal affected by kills were not protected — despite the fact that cantonal sheep alpine planning proposes measures that would have allowed for the use of livestock guardian dogs. The protectability of the alpine pastures around Zinal is further demonstrated by the fact that two of them actually have herders and livestock guardian dogs in place, and those reported no kills.

The situation in the Goms, where a culling order was also issued, must be assessed differently. According to information from the GWS, the culling permit there is likely to be lawful. More on the animal welfare problem of recreational hunting and on the hunting law.

Dossier: Wolf in Switzerland: Facts, Politics, and the Limits of Hunting