STS criticizes wolf culls as threat to pack structures

Planned wolf culls endanger sustainable protection of livestock and pack structures.

Editorial team Wild beim Wild — 27 September 2025

The Swiss Animal Protection STS expresses deep concern over the decision by the Federal Office for the Environment this week to approve wolf culls in 21 packs.

From the STS perspective, this measure does not represent a sustainable solution. It even harbours considerable risks for the stability of wolf packs and the protection of livestock in Switzerland.

In eight cantons, young animals or entire wolf packs may be shot preventively. The Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) has approved all regulation requests with one exception in the canton of Ticino, as stated in a fact sheet published by the Federal Office on Thursday.

Pack structures are key to conflict prevention

Wolf packs are highly complex social communities in which experienced lead animals provide guidance. The targeted killing of lead animals has far-reaching consequences: when a pack is deprived of its key individuals, the established structure disintegrates and inexperienced young wolves or lone animals migrate in. These animals are often less shy and less experienced in hunting wild game. They therefore more readily turn to livestock and cause correspondingly greater damage. Studies and experience from other countries clearly show: in functioning packs with a stable structure, the likelihood of attacks on livestock tends to be lower. It is therefore essential that these social structures are preserved in the interest of both humans and animals.

Culling entire packs is not a sustainable solution

The most recent decisions by the FOEN provide not only for individual culls, but also for the removal of entire packs. The STS firmly rejects this practice. The removal of an entire pack creates a short-term “wolf-free zone,” yet wolves in search of their own territory are known to reoccupy these areas rapidly. The result is unnecessarily high losses, renewed conflicts, and mounting pressure on genetic diversity — a vicious cycle is set in motion that burdens both sides. Wolves are part of a natural equilibrium. Responsible management of this species means respecting pack structures and actively promoting their preservation — a central concern of the STS.

Increased Risk Through Altered Hunting Strategies

Particularly alarming is the fact that the culling of lead animals or the decimation of packs can lead to altered hunting strategies. The remaining animals are often less experienced, increasingly seek proximity to human settlements, and are less deterred by humans. This raises the risk of attacks on livestock and creates additional difficulties for farmers. A sustainable coexistence between humans and wolves is only possible if wolves are recognised as socially intelligent beings and protected accordingly. The repressive culling policy, however, leads to escalation and undermines the efforts of many farmers to effectively protect their herds.

Demands of the STS

The Swiss Animal Protection STS therefore urges the FOEN to reconsider the authorisations and to seek sustainable and effective solutions in collaboration with experts from science, nature and animal protection, and agriculture. Culls may only be employed as a last resort — and not as part of a short-sighted and blanket strategy. Instead, differentiated approaches are needed: the protection of livestock must be improved through targeted preventive measures, pack structures must be preserved, and public acceptance of the wolf must be strengthened.

The STS also calls for a uniform, scientifically grounded practice for the culling and management of wolves. This includes the development and updating of a nationwide wolf management concept by the FOEN.

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