Wolves tear many livestock – Glarner farmers: “2022 must not be repeated” – News


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The wolf causes emotions to run high in mountain cantons – including in Glarus, where 90 animals were killed this year.

The emotions: “Concerns and fears – especially those of the mountain population – are not taken seriously, or not taken seriously enough.” This is written by the Glarner Farmers’ Association and its “Large carnivores expert commission”, which consists mainly of farmers and is intended as a link between the authorities, agriculture and the non-agricultural population. The message is clear: After this summer, in which there were many more problems with wolves, farmers want something to work: “2022 must not be repeated.”

The facts: 90 sheep and goats were killed by wolves in the canton of Glarus this summer. The canton announced these figures a few days ago when it took stock of the summer in the Alps. 120 animals also disappeared after a wolf was nearby. The canton of Glarus estimates the value of these killed or missing animals at 110,000 francs. He estimates the additional work in connection with wolf tears at 37,000 francs. The fact is: these numbers are much higher than in previous years. Last year, the canton of Glarus reported 10 killed and 5 disappeared sheep and goats in connection with the wolf.

The requirements: The farmers’ association, together with the “IG wolf-safe habitat”, presented seven demands. For example, the canton of Glarus should make better use of its options for regulating wolves. Because these were not used this summer. In addition, the farmers’ association would like the compensation for killed and missing animals to be processed more easily. This is too expensive at the moment. And he calls for a clear commitment from the Glarner government to local agriculture.

What is happening nationally in terms of wolves


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Whether a wolf may be shot or not is not determined by the cantons, but by the federal government. After the new hunting law was rejected by the Swiss electorate in 2020, the protection of wolves remained strong. Wolves may only be shot in rare cases, for example if they kill too many protected livestock over a certain period of time.

However, these laws could be relaxed. In the September session, the Council of States approved a relaxation of the hunting law. Wolves should not only be allowed to be shot when they have caused damage, but also to prevent future damage. The Council of States approved the bill by a vote of 31 to 6. The National Council will discuss the bill in the next session.

First reaction of the government: The Glarner Landammann Benjamin Mühlemann listened to the demands and accepted a petition with 3000 signatures. This petition contains the seven demands. “I can’t comment on all the demands yet,” Mühlemann told SRF. “But as a government, we will make a statement on this. I don’t think I’m leaning too far out of the window when I say that there will be a clear commitment to agriculture and alpine farming.”

Wolf situation in other cantons


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Also in Grisons the wolf gave rise to many heated discussions this summer. Around 450 cracks were reported, from protected and unprotected herds. This despite the fact that the herds were protected more than ever before. Wolves have also killed larger animals such as cattle in several cases, and one alp in Klosters was so severely injured that the sheep were brought down into the valley earlier. Several packs of wolves live in Graubünden, some of which behave inconspicuously.

And also in Valais the wolf regularly makes headlines. In October, a wolf was shot down illegally in Termen after sheep had been killed in the village the day before. A total of around 370 dead livestock have been recorded in Valais so far this year. Since this summer, the canton has been compensating affected breeders with up to CHF 300 per animal. This is because the canton sees no legal way to “proactively regulate the overpopulation of wolves”.

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