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Attacks by wolves on sheep and other farm animals are increasing across Switzerland. Two Swiss researchers are currently testing an idea of how to improve herd protection. It’s about wolfish fragrances.
Wild nature, steep pastures, impassable terrain: around 400 sheep romp about on the Schafalp Gadriola near Nufenen in the canton of Graubünden. The jingling bells spread an Alpine idyll that is by no means always reality. 17 sheep have already been killed by wolves this summer.
That’s one reason the sheep have recently started wearing a gray box on their collars. A box in which Federico Tettamanti’s idea is hidden. Artificially produced scents from wolves are in it, they are supposed to keep other wolves away from the sheep.
“Wolves use pheromones to mark their territory, just like other animals,” says Federico Tettamanti – and goes on to explain: “We take these scents and put them in the box. The animal wears the collar with the wolf pheromones so that it always has this protection around it.” The sheep themselves do not feel stressed by the scent of wolves on their necks.
It is not yet possible to say whether this will have an effect. We should not jump to conclusions.
The test phase is currently underway at several locations in Switzerland and Italy, during which a total of 657 animals are wearing a collar with scents. So far only one animal has been attacked by a wolf in the tests. There were no new cracks on Alp Gadriola, where the sheep have been carrying the scented boxes for two weeks.
Alphirt Marko Maitz is relieved, at the same time he puts it into perspective: “It is not yet possible to say whether this will have an effect. We hope so, but we shouldn’t jump to conclusions.” After all: The alpine farmer can now cultivate a pasture that was previously vacant due to the danger of wolves.
Does the wolf realize it’s just a hoax?
Thanks to DNA analysis, Tettamanti’s project partner, Davide Staedler, was able to decode the wolf pheromones. He produces and packages the artificial fragrances in his Tibio chemical laboratory in western Switzerland. Then they come into the gray box. Price: 25 francs.
Question to the chemist: Could it be that sooner or later the wolves will notice that the smells are artificially produced and harmless to them? “Yes, there is a risk,” says Staedler. “For this reason, we are constantly working on new molecules.” They want to change the recipe if necessary so that the animals cannot get used to it.
Before the tests in the wild, the project managers carried out initial tests in a zoo in Austria. For example, they placed pheromone bags where wolves were used to eating their fresh meat. And lo and behold: the wolves left the meal lying around in order to eat it again panting after removing the scented sachets.
Chance to calm the wolf debate
Zoology professor Marco Apolloni from the University of Sassari in Italy sees opportunities for the project, but points to the lack of scientific data. “The long-term effect on the wolves has yet to be researched,” he says. But it could be a valuable contribution to stopping or reducing attacks on farm animals such as sheep.
The canton of Graubünden and the federal government support the project. The authorities are also interested in having other herd protection measures available in addition to dogs and fences. That could calm down the emotional discussion about the wolf a bit.