Wolf defenders demonstrate in Vaud

According to the organizer more than 250 wolf protectors demonstrated peacefully on 9 October 2021 at the Marchairuz Pass in the Vaud Jura.

Revoke shooting permit

They called on the canton of Vaud to revoke the shooting permit for two young wolves from the Marchairuz pack, or to impose a moratorium.

Under the slogans «Stop the shooting of wolves at Marchairuz» and «Coexistence with the wolf», the action was conceived as a citizens’ initiative, said Alain Prêtre, organizer, former journalist and wildlife photographer. This is about political shots to reassure farmers. The rifle must not be the only solution.

Alain Prêtre did not mince his words: Vaud was showing «extremism and dilettantism» in its «handling of the wolf risk» for livestock, and State Councillor Béatrice Métraux, responsible for the environment, had «declared war on the wolf.»

Killing two wolves is absurd and counterproductive. It is not only no solution at all, but also increases the risk that herds will be attacked by predators. This will undoubtedly lead to a breakup and fragmentation of the pack.

Alain Prêtre

Shooting destroys pack structure

«The recreational hunting of a deer or a wild boar — the wolf’s preferred prey — requires a coordinated attack. A lone wolf is not capable of killing a large herbivore such as a deer. This means that attacks on calves, which are much smaller prey, will increase once the pack dissolves», he continued.

Wolf attacks on cattle have increased in recent months in the Vaud Jura. Since the start of the summer season, eleven cattle and four goats have been attacked. It is estimated that around a dozen wolves are present in the region.

At the beginning of August, the Vaud authorities had approved the shooting of two young animals from the Marchairuz pack, a first for the canton. The shooting permit from the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), so far without result, is valid until 31 March.