Wolf Monitoring Glarus: Pilot Project with Tracking Devices

In future, one to two animals per Glarus wolf pack are to be fitted with a tracking device, as demanded by a motion referred by the Cantonal Council.

Editorial Team Wild beim Wild — 1 November 2024

One to two animals per Glarus wolf pack are to be fitted with a tracking device in future.

This was demanded by a motion referred by the Cantonal Council. The cantonal government, which had opposed the motion, has now developed the groundwork for a project.

This includes a budget of 330’000 francs. The government is proposing a four-year pilot project for wolf monitoring. Where possible, one to two animals in each wolf pack resident in the canton of Glarus “which has already caused damage to livestock” are to be fitted with a transmitter.

Transmitter Data to Support Herd Protection

The motion demanded that the data be made available digitally to the wildlife warden service and the herd protection service, as well as to all livestock owners and alpine farmers affected by attacks within the packs’ roaming territory during the grazing season.

The transmitter data are reliable and could facilitate the decision as to when herds require additional protection through the presence of a shepherd.

The government had rejected the motion, arguing among other things that implementation in the desired form was barely feasible.

Criticism of Unrealistic Expectations

The motion raised false and unachievable expectations of the authorities and wildlife management. However, since the motion was referred in November 2023 by 37 votes to 10 with 7 abstentions, the government was required to draw up a proposal. Scientifically grounded wildlife management relies on data rather than culling quotas.

In addition to human resources, the monitoring also requires financial means for third-party contracts and materials.

The ordinance therefore includes a commitment credit of 330’000 francs. There is one additional restriction regarding the presented project: fitting wolves with radio transmitters requires federal approval, according to the government. The start is therefore dependent on the granting of this authorization.

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