Uri wolf illegally hunted before official culling
The wolf officially culled by authorities in the canton of Uri had previously been illegally hunted and shot by poachers. In total, the wolf had killed or injured 80 livestock. More on wolves in Switzerland.
In the canton of Uri, a wolf culled by the authorities had previously been illegally hunted and shot by poachers.
80 livestock killed
The canton of Uri was heavily confronted with the wolf issue last summer. In total, 80 livestock (77 sheep, 2 goats, 1 cattle) were killed or injured by the wolf. After the required damage threshold pursuant to the hunting legislation and the “Wolf Concept Switzerland” had been reached, the Security Directorate issued an order on 14 July 2016 for the culling of the wolf responsible for the damage. The animal was subsequently culled on 28 July 2016 in the Surenen/Blackenalp area, as is known (Wild beim Wild reported).
DNA analysis confirms identity
The “Laboratoire de Biologie de la Conservation de l’Université de Lausanne” then subjected the culled wolf to a DNA analysis. It was confirmed that the animal killed was a male wolf of Italian origin designated M68. The culled animal could also be linked to the sheep kills from spring/summer 2016 in the canton of Uri and the surrounding cantons.
The carcass of the dead wolf was subsequently handed over to the “Zentrum für Fisch- und Wildtiermedizin (FIWI) der Universität Bern” for further examination, as stipulated by the “Wolf Concept Switzerland”. This examination report is now available: Based on the condition of the teeth and the assessment of the bone growth zones in the X-ray images, it can be assumed that the culled wolf was between one and two years old. The animal weighed 30.8 kilograms, was well-muscled and in good nutritional condition.
Illegal shooting confirmed
The X-ray examination revealed two gunshot wounds of different ages. The more recent injury occurred on 28 July 2016 as a result of the legal kill. The second, older gunshot wound was located on the left forearm, was at least seven weeks old, and was already healing. It must therefore be assumed that the wolf was shot illegally in late May/early June 2016 — exactly where remains unclear based on the available evidence. Given the large home range of wolves, the surrounding areas as well as the canton of Uri are potential locations.
According to Article 7 of the Hunting Act (JSG; SR 922.0), the wolf is a protected species. Anyone who intentionally and without authorisation hunts or kills wolves is liable to prosecution under Article 17 of the JSG. On the basis of this criminal offence, the Office of Forestry and Hunting filed a criminal complaint against persons unknown on 20 January 2017.Poaching remains one of the most serious problems for predator protection in Switzerland.
