Summary of the Wolf Situation in the Canton of Schwyz
The situation report on the wolf in the Canton of Schwyz looks back at the year 2020.
The first half of 2020 was quiet, as in the previous year.
Wolf M107 identified in the Canton of Schwyz for the first time
A total of 8 reports of alleged indications of wolf presence were received by the wildlife rangers. Thanks to individual analysis, the wolf M107 was identified in the Canton of Schwyz for the first time. The male wolf of Italian origin was last recorded in the Canton of Valais in August 2019.
The appearance of wolves must be expected at any time and anywhere in the Canton of Schwyz.
Genetic studies in Switzerland
From October 2018 to September 2020, a total of 87 wolves (37 females and 50 males) were individually identified genetically in Switzerland. Since 2014, 4 male wolves have been identified in the Canton of Schwyz through individual genetic analysis. All wolf records in Switzerland are exclusively of Italian origin.
Impact of wolves on wildlife populations
In 2019, the highest red deer harvest (508 animals) in the history of the Canton of Schwyz was achieved. In 2020, the number of red deer shot during the hobby hunt remained at a high level (489). Evidently, the presence of the wolf did not lead to any reduction in the wildlife population or hunting success.
Wolf behaviour towards humans
The wolf is a shy and wary animal that lives a secluded life. Attacks on humans are rare. To date, the wolves sighted in the Canton of Schwyz have behaved inconspicuously towards humans.
Damage and costs
Compensation for livestock killed as a result of a proven wolf attack amounted to 1’600 francs. Compared to previous years (2016: 31’637 Fr.; 2017: 27’887 Fr.; 2018: 31’530 Fr.), material and personnel costs have fallen significantly over the past two years.
Dossier: Wolf in Switzerland: Facts, politics, and the limits of hunting
More on the subject of recreational hunting: In our dossiers on recreational hunting gather fact-checks, analyses and background reports. What the research says about this is shown by Hunting fact-checked: the state of research.
The position of IG Wild beim Wild: IG Wild beim Wild rejects recreational hunting. Our model is the canton of Geneva, which has managed without recreational hunting since 1974: without hunting seasons, without hunting dogs, without driven hunts, without high seats, without the animal cruelty and crime that go hand in hand with hunting season elsewhere. What has worked there for over fifty years disproves every position paper by JagdSchweiz. An association that bases its policy on claims it refutes in its own documents is not a professional organisation, but a factory for misinformation.
