Geneva: Contraception Instead of Culling for Wildlife
Due to a growing population, deer in the forests of Versoix are soon to be culled. Animal protection advocates are protesting and demanding contraception instead.
Contraception Instead of Culling
The growing population of roe deer, red deer, and wild boar in Geneva is not to be curbed through culling, but through contraception.
This is the demand of the animal protection association Animal Equité (AEE) directed at the cantonal government.
The animal protection advocates responded to a decision by State Councillor Antonio Hodgers (Greens) to allow the culling of deer in the forests of Versoix in the near future.
The association stated in a press release on Thursday that it is absolutely opposed to these culls, which would also violate cantonal law. Under current legislation, the culling of animals causing damage may only be authorised after “the exhaustion of preventive measures,” the association noted.
Geneva Bans Hobby Hunting of Mammals
Unlike the rest of Switzerland, the canton of Geneva has banned hobby hunting of mammals and birds since 1974.
Following a public referendum in 1974, hobby hunting was banned in the canton of Geneva. Since then, wildlife management has been organized by a government body and the measures taken are discussed by an advisory commission.
20’000 Signatures Against Deer Cull
The animal protection organisation AEE also pointed out that many countries, including those in the European Union, are turning to a contraceptive vaccine. This would allow them to stabilise or reduce their populations of wildlife, particularly wild boar and deer.
A petition launched two days ago against the culling of deer in the forests of Versoix has already gathered more than 20’000 signatures.
