St. Gallen Wants to Regulate Wolf Pack at Gamserrugg

The St. Gallen Hunting and Nonsense Authority has submitted an application to the federal government.

Its goal is to cull the wolf pack at Gamserrugg.

From September 2024 onwards, massacres of wolves are possible under certain circumstances. The stated objective is to reduce damage to livestock, particularly in areas where herd protection measures are in place. Additionally, the intention is to keep wolves fearful of humans in the future. At the end of August, the new Gamserrugg wolf pack had at least four wolf pups documented on a wildlife camera trap operated by the hunting authority. This provides the Hunting and Nonsense Authority with the justification to submit another application for a massacre to the federal government. Once pups are documented in other packs, the canton can submit additional applications.

The world-leading expert group "Canid Specialist Group" of the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has sharply criticized the Federal Council for its latest hunting ordinance from December 2023 on the regulation of wolf populations. The approach is unscientific and violates the Bern Convention.

In a letter dated November 21, 2023, the IUCN expressed its deep concern and formal objection to the legislative changes and planned persecution of wolves in Switzerland. This strategy is "unscientific and contradicts the latest findings in modern predator management." They further state: "A wise political path in today's world involves the protection and restoration of nature, hand in hand with positive development of society, economy, prosperity and health. In their letter, they outline what modern wolf management means and call on Switzerland to assume a leading role in the world with contemporary and scientifically sound wolf management.

For the Gamserrugg pack, a maximum of half of this year's wolf pups could be authorized for culling. The parent animals remain protected for now. This is intended to slow the growth of the wolf population and teach remaining wolves to avoid humans and livestock. The goal is to have fewer livestock losses in protected situations in the future, according to the St. Gallen Hunting and Nonsense Authority.

The cantonal hunting authority is primarily responsible for implementing wolf regulation. However, the canton can authorize trained individuals to voluntarily support the hunting authority in wolf regulation. For this reason, recreational hunters are being enlisted, as they were in the previous year.

Which packs may be regulated is decided by the federal government. Once approved, the canton can authorize the cullings. 

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

Dossier on St. Gallen Hunting Authority:

• Dominik Thiel: Wolf Hunter at State Expense – An Authority Head as a Threat to Wildlife Protection
• Psychology of Hunting in the Canton of St. Gallen
• Hunting Season Until New Year's Eve: Culling Pressure Instead of Wildlife Management
• Patent Hunting as a Solution to Red Deer Conflicts?
• St. Gallen Hunting Authority: Wolf Management Without Science and Without Credibility
• The Authorization to Kill a Wolf in the Canton of St. Gallen Was Unlawful
• Public Dumbing Down in the Canton of St. Gallen
• Hunting and Nonsense Authority in St. Gallen Modernizes Hunting Training
• St. Gallen Wants to Regulate Wolf Pack at Gamserrugg
• Controversy Over Swiss Officials at Wolf Hunting in Russia
• "Experts" in St. Gallen End Wolf Regulation for This Winter
• The Rotten Apple in the St. Gallen Hunting Authority
• Lying Hunter Became Department Head in the Canton of St. Gallen
• St. Gallen: Stop the Fox and Badger Massacres
• Do the BAFU and Hunting Authorities Still Work Professionally?
• How Recreational Hunter Simon Meier Leads on the Wrong Track

Call to Action: Demand a tax exemption from your municipality for federal and cantonal taxes due to the disastrous policies of Federal Councilor Albert Rösti (SVP) regarding the recently approved culling of wolves in Switzerland. You can download the sample letter here: https://wildbeimwild.com/ein-appell-fuer-eine-veraenderung-in-der-schweiz/