In Switzerland, a new approach to wolf management has been introduced since 2023, allowing for "preventive" interventions on packs, even in the absence of recent, documented damage to livestock.
This model, also strongly promoted by the Canton of Valais, involves the culling of individuals belonging to herds deemed "at risk of predation," in an attempt to preemptively reduce conflicts with livestock farming. This is a significant exception to the principle of species protection, granting cantonal authorities broad discretion and raising both scientific and legal questions.
Within this program, we learn with deep regret the news that In 2024, half of the wolves killed in the Canton of Valais were killed by mistake., as revealed by genetic analysis. This is a very serious matter, which once again calls into question the effectiveness, transparency, and legitimacy of the authorized regulatory interventions.
The management of a protected species such as the wolf requires rigor, competence and above all responsibility: “misidentifications” cannot be justified when deciding to eliminate animals belonging to a pack, with potentially disastrous consequences for the social structure and behavior of the group.
In previous years, particularly in 2023 and 2024, the Canton of Valais had already stood out for the high number of authorised culls carried out very quickly, in some cases even affecting puppies. At the same time, several cantonal decisions were appealed and suspended by the Federal Administrative Court due to the lack of sufficient evidence that preventive measures had actually been adopted. It is therefore clear that an attempt is being made to tackle a complex problem, that of livestock predation, with summary, ineffective and potentially counterproductive tools. even for the breeders themselves, in the medium and long term.
As an organization committed to promoting coexistence between humans and large predators, we believe that such errors should lead to serious and profound reflection. Prevention remains the key: before resorting to lethal measures, it is essential to ensure the systematic use of humane solutions, such as pasture protection systems and the presence of guard dogs. Rigorous protocols are also needed to identify with certainty those responsible for the damage, avoiding hasty interventions that end up affecting animals unrelated to the predation.
In conclusion, the Swiss case demonstrates how dangerous it can be to abandon a scientific, prudent, and coexistence-oriented approach to the management of large carnivores. The failure of the model adopted in the Canton of Valais should serve as a warning. Only a change of direction based on prevention, careful monitoring, and compliance with species protection legislation can ensure a sustainable, effective coexistence that respects both the interests of farmers and the environment. as well as the fundamental ecological role played by wolves in our ecosystems.