Too many sheep harm biodiversity
Our ancestors kept far fewer animals on the alpine pastures, which were partly cultivated with vegetables and grain. The alpine farming operations run today are highly unprofitable, and would have been discontinued long ago without the most massive, biodiversity-damaging subsidies from Bern.
Unherded sheep since the 20th century
The fact that in Switzerland so many sheep and goats are kept, as well as free-range grazing, is a recent phenomenon. Since sheep began roaming the Swiss Alps unherded throughout entire summers in the 20th century, tens of thousands of alpine sheep have died during the summer grazing season. In 2021, 40’000 sheep died. Last year the figure was already 56’838 animals. The wolf caused barely 2% of losses.
The wolf as a promoter of biodiversity
The wolf brought a rethinking. While 20 years ago still 60% of sheep grazed entirely freely and uncontrolled in the Alps, today that figure is only 16%. These measures simultaneously create the conditions for alpine sheep farming to become more ecologically sound, explains David Gerike of Gruppe Wolf Schweiz.
In no other country is the proportion of endangered species higher than in Switzerland. More than one third of plant, animal and fungal species are considered at risk.
Where the wolf goes, the shepherd follows
For sheep to be truly beneficial to biodiversity, they must be consistently guided. This requires specialists who have been called shepherds for thousands of years. And it is the wolf that has ensured their return. The wolf is rather a promoter of biodiversity in mountain areas, as Pro Natura also writes. More on the topic of herd protection and wolf protection.
Dossier: Wolf in Switzerland: facts, politics and the limits of hunting
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