Culling order for wolf not compliant with federal law

The Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) has also filed a complaint with the Valais cantonal government against the culling order for a wolf in the Val d'Anniviers.

As federal hunting inspector Reinhard Schnidrig explained in response to an inquiry from the «Walliser Bote», the complaint against the culling order for a wolf in the Val d'Anniviers was lodged last week. The FOEN considers the order, issued on 7 September 2018 by the department headed by State Councillor Jacques Melly, to be non-compliant with federal law.

Herd protection measures and pack status unclear

According to the FOEN, it must be clarified whether reasonable herd protection measures were taken in the Val d'Anniviers, and whether a wolf pack or only individual wolves are present in the area.

State Councillor Jacques Melly (CVP) also ordered an extension of the culling perimeter for the next 60 days for the wolf already cleared for culling in the Goms.

The organisations criticised that a pack was likely living in this area. This would create the risk of killing the parent animals while simultaneously endangering the young. During the summer, a total of 39 sheep had been killed by wolves in the Val d'Anniviers. More on the hunting law and on wildlife.

Dossier: Wolf in Switzerland: Facts, politics and the limits of hunting