Vets should be allowed to treat injured wildlife immediately in emergencies
Injured wild animals should be treated quickly, without time-consuming official permits. A motion calls for immediate care by veterinarians.
Injured wild animals should be able to receive prompt treatment without first having to obtain a time-consuming official permit.
This is the demand of the Society of Swiss Veterinarians (GST) in its statement on the revision of the hunting ordinance.
What to do with a sick hedgehog or an injured bird in the garden? Private individuals who find a weakened or injured wild animal often bring it to a veterinary practice. Under current law, veterinarians must first obtain a permit before they are allowed to treat the animal. In an emergency, however, an injured wild animal needs help immediately.
The amendment of the hunting ordinance was meant to finally clarify the legal situation in this matter last year. However, because the hunting law was rejected, the planned revision of the hunting ordinance was shelved. Parliament has now instructed the Federal Council to address the most urgent measures relating to the hunting law by means of an ordinance. The GST demands that a provision on the initial care of injured wild animals must be included in this. The current situation, without a uniform legal basis across Switzerland, is no longer tenable from an animal welfare perspective and requires urgent amendment.
Requirements for wildlife care stations
The GST specialist section for wildlife, zoo, and exotic animal medicine (SVWZH) has defined requirements for wildlife care stations as well as the short-term housing and medical care of wild animals.
