Sheep Deaths: The Real Culprits Are in the Barn

Since 2020, the animal movement database Identitas has also recorded sheep that have died – including those that perish from illness or neglect.

In 2021 the figure was around 40’000, and in 2024 it reached 56’838 sheep. This corresponds to approximately 13 % of the sheep population at the time, which stood at around 362’000 animals.

Wolves account for only a fraction of these deaths: approximately 1’000 animals, representing under 2 % of total fatalities. Even at maximum estimates and including slaughter figures, the share drops to below 0.5 %.

The vast majority of losses are attributable to diseases, parasites, epidemics, inadequate shepherding, and weather conditions. This stands in stark contradiction to our claims regarding animal welfare and the oft-cited “best animal protection law in the world.”

In 2024, approximately 231’615 sheep were slaughtered in Switzerland. This figure covers officially reported slaughters and corresponds to around 41.7 % of domestic sheep meat consumption.

Wolf attacks play only a statistically negligible role – their impact is routinely overestimated in public debate and politics, and exploited for propaganda purposes. The wolf as a political scapegoat.

Further Articles

• Swiss Meadows Are Losing Biodiversity at an Alarming Rate
• When Sheep, Cattle and Others Encroach on Wildlife Habitats
• Swiss Animal Protection Organisation Criticizes Planned Wolf Culls as a Threat to Pack Structures and Herd Protection
• In Graubünden, Wolf Incompetence Runs Rampant
• Val Fex: When the Herd Protection Concept Has More Holes Than the Fence
• Shooting Instead of Protection – Switzerland on the Path to Silent Wolf Extermination
• Communication Failure at the Office for Hunting and Fishing in Graubünden
• Illegal Wolf Hunting in Switzerland
• Wolf Cubs in Switzerland Under Fire
• Switzerland Sells Wolf Massacre as a Success
• Blunders in the Office of Katrin Schneeberger
• Livestock grazing alters soil, plant and insect populations
• The absurd wolf hunt in Switzerland
• The truth about sheep mortality in Switzerland: causes and statistics
• Wolf culls in Switzerland: concerns about party politician Albert Rösti
• Let's stop the SVP's destructive rage
• Call to action: An appeal for change in Switzerland
• 200 environmental organisations from 6 continents call on the Swiss government: Stop the wolf cull
• Federal Councillor faces sharp criticism from wolf experts
• The consequences of controversial wolf management in Switzerland
• Wolf: Federal Councillor Rösti (SVP) circumvents law and order
• Es Burebüebli mahn i nit
• Are FOEN and the cantonal hunting authorities still operating responsibly?
• Federal Councillor Albert Rösti tramples the will of the people
• The consequences of controversial wolf management in Switzerland
• Too many sheep are harming biodiversity
• Agricultural use destroys alpine meadows
• Kills despite herd protection — how is that possible?
• The rotten apple in the St. Gallen hunting administration
• Pro Natura calls for a comprehensive strategy for summer sheep grazing
• According to Agridea study, herd protection with dogs works well
• Thanks to herd protection, wolves kill fewer livestock in Switzerland
• Farmers treat fields as a disposal site
• Biomass of wildlife
• On sheep farmers and vague authorities
• The double standards of wolf opponents