Ticino: 98% of livestock killed without herd protection
In Ticino, 98% of all livestock killed were without herd protection. The scandal reveals the failure of livestock owners to protect their animals.
Livestock owners in Ticino are complaining about high kill numbers.
98% of kills in unprotected herds
An analysis of available cantonal data by the Gruppe Wolf Schweiz (GWS) shows that in the current year, 98% of all kills in Ticino occurred in completely unprotected situations. Fewer than ten kills, or just 2%, occurred in protected herds where wolves were able to overcome the protective measures.
For a majority of the affected herds, officially recognised reasonable herd protection would have been feasible, as cantonal data indicates. The cantonal data further reveals that for numerous animals compensated as wolf kills, only decomposed carcasses were found. This frequently made DNA sampling impossible, complicating the identification of the perpetrator. However, the widespread discovery of decomposed carcasses also points to poor herd management, as kills are quickly detected in well-managed herds.
Refusal of herd protection as a political pressure tool
This refusal to implement herd protection is scandalous and is being exploited to exert pressure on pending political decisions. Ultimately, livestock are being sacrificed to wolves when reasonable herd protection is not put in place. That hobby hunting fails as a population control measure, is also demonstrated by the data from Ticino. The absence of herd protection underscores the importance of the Hunting Act and its consistent implementation.
Dossier: Wolf in Switzerland: Facts, Politics and the Limits of Hunting
