National Council wants better protection from wolves with “wolf-free zones”
Published: Wednesday, Apr 17th 2024, 18:50
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The National Council wants to improve protection against wolves. On Wednesday, it adopted two motions from the Center Group, which call for areas without wolves and simpler support for herd protection, among other things.
One motion wants the cantons to be able to designate "wolf-free zones". In these areas, regulatory interventions should be permitted if "reasonable protective measures" are not possible. Many herds could not be protected with proportionate measures, was the reason given.
Expand herd protection
The second motion calls for faster genetic analyses of the carcasses of animals killed by wolves and faster procedures for shooting permits for problem wolves. Support for livestock protection and compensation payments to livestock owners affected by wolf kills should also be expanded and simplified.
Benjamin Roduit (center/VS) justified the two motions by saying that the problems caused by the wolf had still not been solved and that the populations were growing exponentially. The revised hunting ordinance had not solved everything. It was a question of safety and respect for property.
"The wolf problem requires too much energy and costs too much money and must finally be solved," demanded Roduit. It is about being able to shoot wolves where they cause conflicts with human activities and protecting them in places where they do not pose a threat.
Environment Minister Albert Rösti proposed a "no" to the motions submitted by Fabio Regazzi, now a member of the Ticino Council of States. Proactive regulations are possible today and are still planned. Wolf-free zones, on the other hand, are hardly possible because wolves migrate widely and occupy large areas.
New hunting ordinance in progress
The revised Hunting Ordinance, which allows the preventive shooting of wolves during five months of the year, is due to come into force on February 1, 2025. During the remaining months, the cantons can regulate wolf packs that are causing damage. Wolves could already be shot preventively last winter.
The motions will go to the Council of States.
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