Petition: No lynx kills in Valais
The canton of Valais is preparing to become the first canton in Switzerland to submit an official request to be allowed to shoot lynx this coming winter. Councillor of State Christophe Darbellay, himself a hobby hunter, justifies the initiative with declining roe deer and chamois populations in the Upper Valais. What goes unmentioned is that the Eurasian lynx in Switzerland is genetically severely impoverished: According to KORA, the Alpine lynx have lost 46 per cent of their genetic diversity compared to their ancestors. Experts are therefore calling for a genetic refreshment of the population, not its reduction. How drastic the effects of this inbreeding can be is shown by the documented case of a lynx without ears in the Jura, whose malformation experts attribute to the genetic impoverishment of the species.
On top of that: it was precisely in Valais that the lynx was systematically poached over decades. A peer-reviewed study by the University of Bern published in 2021 documented a network of 17 snare traps in the only immigration corridor of the lynx into Valais; more on this in the Dossier on poaching and hunting crime in Switzerland. Pro Natura Valais also points out that around 1,000 roe deer are shot in the canton each year by hobby hunting itself. Scientific proof of the lynx's guilt in the population decline is lacking. How wildlife policy can look without the conflict of interest between the authorities and hobby hunting has been demonstrated by the canton of Geneva for over 50 years.
We demand an immediate abandonment of the kill request and a scientifically grounded wildlife policy in Valais that is independent of hobby hunting.
Link: Valais wishes to shoot lynx for the first time – although the species is genetically at its limit
Dear Councillor of State Darbellay
Dear Members of the Grand Council of the Canton of Valais
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen of the Federal Office for the Environment
I am writing to you with great concern, because the canton of Valais is preparing, for the first time in Switzerland, an official request for the regulation, that is the shooting, of lynx.
The Eurasian lynx is not a robust species in Switzerland, but rather a genetically depleted one. The Swiss lynx descend from a few, partly closely related founder animals from the Slovakian Carpathians. According to KORA, the specialist unit for predator ecology, the Alpine lynx have lost 46 per cent of their genetic diversity compared with their ancestors, and those in the Jura 30 per cent. Inbreeding is already an existential problem today, evidenced among other things by frequent heart murmurs in affected animals as well as by the documented case of an earless lynx in the Jura, whose malformation is attributed to the genetic impoverishment of the species. KORA and the Centre for Fish and Wildlife Health (FIWI) state that the population must be genetically refreshed in the medium term. To request a kill of all times right now reverses the technical logic.
Moreover, the canton of Valais is no neutral ground where the lynx is concerned. An international research team led by Prof. Raphaël Arlettaz (University of Bern) demonstrated in 2021 in «Frontiers in Conservation Science» that the low lynx population in the Lower Valais is attributable to systematic poaching. In the lynx's only immigration corridor into Valais, a network of 17 snare traps was found, some of them still operational. It took 20 years from the first indications to the first conviction of a hunter for lynx poaching.
Scientific proof that the lynx is responsible for the decline in roe deer and chamois populations in Valais is still lacking to this day. According to Pro Natura Valais, around 1,000 roe deer are shot in the canton every year by hobby hunting itself. The lynx also fulfils an important ecological function by keeping game on the move and thus protecting the forest from excessive browsing damage.
I call on you:
Not to submit the application for a regulation or for kills of lynx in Valais as long as the species is genetically at its limit according to KORA and FIWI.
To take consistent measures against the documented lynx poaching in the canton, instead of additionally regulating an already decimated population.
To disclose the interests of officials who, as hobby hunters, decide on kill applications for strictly protected species or have them prepared.
Any potential application to the Federal Office for the Environment must be rejected, because roe deer and chamois, as prey animals, primarily serve the predators themselves as a food source and not hobby hunting.
Kind regards
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I signed because...
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«An example of how sick the world is. The greatest criminals are in charge. We live in an agricultural and hunting dictatorship. But blinded by prosperity, (almost) no one realises it.»
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«The environment and nature are very close to my heart personally, and I would wish that more people pulled together to live more sustainably and ecologically!»
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«In my view, shooting wild animals has nothing to do with regulation and so on anymore. When it comes to animals, humans have become a beast. It is about a new kick and the exercise of power, mainly in hunting. Beatrice Bannwart»
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«It is unacceptable to murder animals on this earth! The population is small, the thought of killing them incredibly repulsive!»
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«The right to life for all animals - an end to the killing by hobby hunters!»
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«Stop shooting wild animals. Better shoot yourselves, you animal abusers»
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«ALL living beings have the right to LIFE!»
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«No kills as long as the species is at its genetic limit.»
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«This is yet again an impossible Valais idea! Lynx are wonderful and shy wild animals that pose no danger whatsoever to humans. They need our protection and not the hatred of hunters who see in them only competition. You are on the wrong side, Mr Darbelley!»
Read more (65)
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«In Switzerland the lynx as well as the wolf must be protected.»
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«I cannot understand why such a wonderful animal should be shot because of declining roe deer and chamois populations, which exist in abundance.»
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«I am signing because the lynx is a wonderful animal in the wild, though quite shy. The population must be protected.»
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«Hobby hunting claims to solve problems that would not even exist without it.»
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«Because nature, biodiversity and life matter to me.»
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«As a society we need to limit wanton killings, we should promote a love and respect of all animals. So many wild animals are genetically compromised due to shocking decimation of their species.»
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«Because in my eyes foxes, lynx and wolves must not be killed; they are immensely important for the balance in nature, including the fauna. Hobby hunting should be banned!»
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«Because the protection of wild animals is important to me and they have their place in an intact ecosystem.»
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«I am signing to protect the lynx, but also to send a general signal against the rampant, excessive and unjustifiable hunting of wild animals»
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«Hobby hunting is negligent and sick and serves the basest of needs, and I would like to support this petition from abroad.»
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«Sadly, there are only very few lynx left across Europe; they absolutely must be preserved!»
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«I am signing because I am convinced that the lynx belongs to nature in Switzerland and therefore must not be sacrificed for the hobby of hunters.»
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«In Valais they blast away at everything that crosses their path, and that should stop»
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«Enough now with all this senseless blasting away!»
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«Because in Valais things are not done above board anyway! Justice Politics Wolf shooting Lynx poaching Crans-Montana Arch-Catholicism Olympics Mafia»
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«I am signing this petition because it is important to me to live in the midst of healthy forests and mountains. It has been shown that predators play a decisive role in the dynamics of these habitats.»
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«For the poor lynx»
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«For the lynx»
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«Because this hunting crime must not be allowed to succeed. It is simply shameful. 😔»
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«Every living creature has a right to life!»
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«Does the lynx have no right to exist?»
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«Because I care about all animals»
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«Lynxes belong in our nature!»
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«Stop shooting everything! Respect for nature! Humans are not superior to everything!»
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«As has been shown for many years, killing foxes does not produce a smaller fox population.»
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«The lynx fulfils an important ecological function»
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«The lynx is no problem in Valais!»
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«Because I want to protect the animals.»
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«Preserve nature and ecology.»
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«Biodiversity is important and I care about every animal.»
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«Please let them live. We have no right to kill animals.»
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«I love animals!»
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«because I think habitat for lynxes is important»
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«It is incomprehensible to me how a few selfish hunters want to blame lynxes for the decline of roe deer, which in truth are hunted and thereby reduced by these hunters themselves. Hands off these animals, whose species and genetics have already suffered enough at the hands of hunters!»
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«Because it is important NOT to diminish the lynx population!!! The senseless killing must be stopped!!!»
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«The lynx is and must remain protected. What does this canton actually think it is doing? First the wolf, now the lynx, what comes next?»
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«The way we deal with the large predators in Valais must finally be changed and not abused for vested interests such as hunting.»
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«I believe that the hunting of predators such as lynx and wolf currently taking place lacks any scientific basis and is completely unnecessary.»
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«It simply cannot be that a member of the cantonal government and a hobby hunter constantly incites against protected wild animals and even gets his way. It is just disgusting. Leave the animals in peace at last!»
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«I am signing because we must bear a responsibility for all the animals of this world. Co-existence!!! And don't meddle with nature!»
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«I am signing this petition because the lynx should not be shot. They should be glad they are back»
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«If the hunters stop shooting roe deer, the lynx can carry on living... but there you go, hunters have power, far too much power 😡»
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«I am signing because I hate hunters! They don't have to hunt any animal, leave them in peace! 😡😡😡 Hunters, go and hunt for something useful to do! Animals are lives, they feel everything we feel! Have you no feelings, empathy, compassion?»
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«Finally stop murdering the animals, they have just as much a right to live as we do..»
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«Because I want an intact animal world»
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«Humans must finally keep out of the animals' habitat. Nature regulates itself!!! The pleasure in killing should be punished»
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«Because the animals and nature must be protected.»
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«Hunters out of the forest. Hunters destroy and kill!»
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«That's just how it should be! Live and let live!»
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«Lynx have a right to life»
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«Large predators are part of our nature. We must give them space and respect.»
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«Because the lynx is part of our nature. Stop shooting everything that stands in seeming competition with you. We have enough meat, we don't also need game to eat.»
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«The wolf must not be shot in Switzerland, and neither must the lynx. The wolf ensures a balanced nature. Humans don't need to kill on top of that!»
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«I don't want any lynx kills»
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«...because the lynx population in Valais is threatened by illegal kills and a gene pool that is too poorly differentiated.»
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«Because it is important to rein in cantons as trigger-happy as Valais, who have no understanding of wild animals and let the hunters do whatever they want, thinking that they don't have to abide by anything!»
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«It is an absolute outrage»
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«.. wild animals belong to our country, and have done so since time immemorial. It is entirely possible to live side by side with them.»
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«Because I am in favour of preserving these wonderful animals! And for the protection of the lynx.»
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«I sign because lynx, wolves and all endangered wild animals must remain or be placed under protection!»
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«Because this is not the right path for our nature!»
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«As an apex predator, the lynx controls the populations of roe deer and chamois. This reduces the selection pressure on the vegetation. Through the lynx's hunting behaviour, the spatial behaviour of plant-eating game changes. Less browsing damage to young trees ensures the long-term stability of the Valais protection and reserve forests against avalanches and erosion. There are no facts that justify this hunt demanded by a hobby hunter.»
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«The lynx population is genetically impoverished, not stable and must be protected. The way the large predators are treated in the Swiss mountain cantons is an absolute disgrace and must be improved as a matter of urgency!»
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«Protect our precious wildlife !!! If you want to hunt then build a time machine and go back to the stone age ...»
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«Because I am convinced that Valais is the canton that wants to shoot every wild animal that comes in front of its rifle.»
News
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