The DNA analyzes are clear and leave no room for doubt. A wolf roams the Pinzgau and causes great damage to the alpine farmers. The strictly protected predator is responsible for at least 69 sheep and lambs. The application to kill the wolf is still pending.
Alpine farmers and experts have been certain for some time, now it is officially confirmed: At least one wolf is currently roaming around Salzburg, to which at least 69 lambs and sheep have fallen victim since the beginning of June. This is now shown by DNA analyzes of the carcasses. “It is still unclear how many wolves there are,” says Hubert Stock, the state’s wolf commissioner. This will have to be shown by further research – results should be available in one to two weeks.
There were confirmed wolf cracks this year in Uttendorf (21 dead sheep and lambs), Rauris (48 dead sheep) and Mittersill (one dead sheep, one dead lamb). “Due to the large distances, we assume two to three wolves,” says Stock.
The application to kill wolves is still pending. The hunters had this after the cracks in the Rauris alpine pasture area. According to the country’s criteria, “problem wolves” can be shot down – provided they have killed more than 25 animals within a short period of time. Conservationists continue to rail against it: “The DNA analyzes show once again that targeted herd protection measures are needed – and not shooting,” says Florian Kozák from the WWF.