Wolf Culls Approved in Graubünden
The canton of Graubünden has ordered the shooting of three juvenile wolves following livestock kills and encounters with humans.
The Federal Office for the Environment FOEN has approved the canton of Graubünden's request to regulate the Beverin pack.
Three juvenile wolves cleared for culling
The canton of Graubünden is permitted to release three juvenile wolves for culling, after the FOEN had already issued 4 cull orders for young animals in the cantons of Valais and Vaud the previous week.
On 23 August 2021, the canton of Graubünden submitted a request to the FOEN for regulation of the wolf pack in the Beverin area. The grounds cited were a lack of wariness among the wolves towards humans, as well as sheep kills despite herd protection measures being in place.
Having reviewed the submitted documents, the FOEN approved the request on the basis of the Hunting Act and the revised Hunting Ordinance that came into effect in mid-July 2021. Under federal law, however, the culls may not take place within game reserves, and shooting the breeding male is to be avoided.
Canton also wants to shoot the pack leader
The canton of Graubünden is disappointed. Officials would like to shoot the pack leader on the grounds that, in their view, he is modelling inappropriate behaviour for the juvenile wolves. Those responsible plan to provide the FOEN with additional evidence over the coming weeks in an effort to convince the authorities to also approve the culling of the pack leader M92.
