Canton Graubünden wants to shoot a third of the wolves
Published: Tuesday, Nov 7th 2023, 16:10
Updated At: Wednesday, Nov 8th 2023, 00:54
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The canton of Graubünden wants to eliminate four wolf packs and decimate the wolf population by around a third. As a first step, the canton announced on Tuesday, the aim is to "efficiently minimize" conflicts with behaviourally conspicuous wolves towards humans and livestock.
Specifically, the canton has applied to the federal government for authorization for the "complete removal" of the Stagias, Vorab, Beverin and Lenzerhorn wolf packs. The aim is to prevent the proven attacks on cattle and the repeated overcoming of herd protection measures for the next grazing season, the Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Mobility (Diem) wrote in the press release.
The canton has also applied to the Federal Office for the Environment to shoot up to two-thirds of the cubs of the Rügiul wolf pack in Poschiavo and the Jatzhorn wolf pack in Davos. Graubünden applied for a total of 27 culls. In addition, a further 17 culls of young wolves have already been approved under current legislation. A total of 44 wolves are now to be shot in Graubünden.
There are currently twelve wolf packs living throughout the canton. The total number of large predators is still unclear, but a rough estimate by the wildlife authorities puts the figure at 130 wolves.
"We want to intervene where the conflicts are greatest," explained Cantonal Councillor Carmelia Maissen on Tuesday in Chur at the cantonal government's monthly meeting with the media. The aim is to stop the growth of the wolf population. It is also hoped that the increased hunting of wolves will make them more timid.
Hunters should hunt wolves
With the shooting applications, the canton of Graubünden is taking advantage of the relaxation of wolf protection by the Federal Council, which was adopted on November 1 and comes into force on December 1. The first wolf culls under the new law are possible until January 31, 2024.
The canton also intends to deploy hunters during the annual special hunt in December. However, the main actors in the hunt will be the gamekeepers, according to the Office for Hunting and Fishing.
With the removal of entire packs, the canton is breaking new ground, said Diem head Maissen. The experience gained will be evaluated in the spring. Based on this, the next regulation application will be drawn up for the following fall and winter.
WWF shows understanding
WWF Graubünden reacted with surprising approval to the planned large-scale wolf hunt. Anita Mazzetta, head of WWF Graubünden, told Radio SRF's Regionaljournal Graubünden that the plans to shoot wolves were understandable. They concern wolf packs that have caused damage.
The WWF still has to examine the details of the shooting request, such as the impact on the forest and its regeneration. "In principle, however, we think it is a step in the right direction," said the WWF director.
At the request of the Keystone-SDA news agency, the Wolf Switzerland group was more critical: the canton of Graubünden is overshooting the mark. "The fact that almost all packs in the Surselva are to be removed is offensive, as the damage there this year was manageable", explained managing director David Gerke.
The authorities had unilaterally prioritized the wishes of agriculture. However, in view of the high or even excessive numbers of roe deer and stags in the Grisons forest, the complete removal of wolf packs is not proportionate.
Gerke also questions whether the removal of packs actually helps agriculture. The wolf conservationist, sheep farmer and hunter is convinced that "new wolves would move in immediately anyway". Herd protection is and remains a necessity.
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