Valais: Systematic Poaching

A survey by the University of Bern found that the lynx population density in the canton of Valais is exceptionally low.

The lynx is the victim of widespread poaching in Valais, as demonstrated by the recently conducted study and testimonies from the RTS programme «Mise au Point». The canton denies any breach of its duty to protect protected species.

Eyewitnesses criticize the Valais authorities for simply looking the other way when it comes to lynx or wolf poaching. An employee of the Valais hunting authority who wishes to remain anonymous confirms: "When I started working for the hunting authority, the internal guideline was: a good lynx is a dead lynx. Today the authority has adjusted its position somewhat: if you shoot a lynx, make sure you are alone. If you get caught by a conservationist, the authority will not defend you.»

The man wishes to remain anonymous in order not to lose his position. He explains that he has already shot a lynx, even though the canton has not issued any official permit in the last 10 years. «I have already shot a lynx, I was conditioned to do it, and I regret it. This must change. For the image of my department, my canton. We must be able to continue shooting lynx, but not like this. It has to be handled properly", he argues.

Researchers at the University of Bern discovered a total of 17 lynx traps in Valais, as the NZZ reported on Friday.

The fact that cases of lynx poaching had been publicly known since 1995 and had continued for two decades before a first conviction was secured raises the question of whether local authorities were doing enough to combat poaching, the authors write. They therefore propose that, instead of local authorities, a higher-level legal authority should handle predator poaching — in order to avoid the risk of collusion between law enforcement agencies and poachers.

A NETZ NATUR broadcast on Swiss television on 21 April 2016 had already documented the poaching culture targeting wildlife in Valais among hobby hunters.

Poaching: Department files criminal complaint

The Department of Hunting, Fishing and Wildlife (DJFW) has now filed a criminal complaint against persons unknown with the public prosecutor's office. This complaint follows an anonymous statement by an alleged employee of the DJFW who claims to have shot a lynx. The department intends to investigate the exact circumstances of this possible poaching incident in order to take appropriate measures if necessary.

For the IG Wild beim Wild, giving cantons more powers under the Hunting Act is not a constructive approach — quite the contrary. They are unable to handle the responsibility, are overwhelmed, are insufficiently trained as hobby hunters and decision-makers, and they lie. Haven't they already been given enough free rein?