Wolf in Bregenzerwald killed: debate about hunting and herd protection flares

Wolf in Bregenzerwald killed: debate about hunting and herd protection flares

Two extremely exciting and at the same time worrying incidents have taken place in the region around the Kanisfluh in the past few weeks. These occurred in connection with the wolf hunting, which is now becoming increasingly important in Vorarlberg. The first official shooting of a wolf in the region committed waves of interest and the discussion, especially among the shepherds who look after their animals on the mountain pastures during the alpine season.

The circumstances that led to this fatal incident are peppered with irony and a touch of tragedy. An experienced hunter who apparently sparkles from stone deer surprisingly found a wolf in the immediate vicinity of his prey. The animals separated from each other only 200 meters when the hunter made the decisive shot.

Melee between humans and predators

The incident occurred in the first half of August on the south side of the 2044 meter high mountain massif Kanisfluh. This marks the first officially approved wolf shot in the present time, which makes what happens particularly remarkable. In the past, there have been several incidents in which farm animals of the shepherds were killed by wolves. At first it was sheep and goats, but after a highly raven cow was attacked, there was a massive pressure on the authorities. Two young cattle and a calf were also killed by the animal, whereupon the district administration of the region published a launch.

The nervousness among the shepherds was felt, especially after they kept encountering cracks and lived their animals in fear. "Night after night," some of them report, "we were in constant unrest. You never know if you can find another dead animal the next morning." The constant feeling that the animals were in danger led to enormous psychological pressure on the shepherds, who look after thousands of animals on the pastures.

Legal situation and controversial discussions

The legal framework for the shooting has changed in Vorarlberg. After a number of incidents and triggering a public discourse on the wolf, relief for shooting was decided. The State Councilor Christian Gantner made it clear that a "red line" was exceeded by the attacks and that it was necessary to act quickly. However, the decision is not without controversy; Environmental organizations such as the WWF have already announced that it will take legal action against this wolf shot.

The discussion about the wolf and the need to succumb to it can be found in a recurring pattern. Criticism and hostility from both sides are the order of the day. While the animal rights activists regard the wolf as a animal worth protecting, the shepherds perceive it as a threat to their cattle. The mountain farmers, however, who have often been living in the region for generations, see the preservation of their livelihood in danger.

In this tense situation, the hunter, who captured the wolf, decided to act quickly when he saw the opportunity. The circumstances of how this shot came about are considered by many as random and unpredictable, but the concentrated load of pressure on the hunters could not be overlooked.

The shepherds and residents of the region agree: the topic must be discussed thoroughly, but the fear of the wolves is real and is also reinforced by the repeatedly turning topic on social networks and forums. Although the surrounding area is beautiful, the question is raised: How much space remains for the wolf in this mountains?

Find a difficult balance

The situation around the wolves in Vorarlberg is not only a local phenomenon, but also raises fundamental questions about dealing with wild animals in the Alps. A balanced ratio is essential, especially at a time when contact between humans and nature is more than ever required. It will be necessary to find practical solutions that take into account both the needs of the shepherds and the protection of the wolves. This balancing act requires time, patience and comprehensive discussions between all parties involved.

Background information on the wolf situation in Europe

The return of the WOLS in many parts of Europe is a topic that is passionately discussed by nature conservation organizations and farmers. In recent decades, wolf population has established itself in many regions of Central and Western Europe, especially in countries such as Germany, Austria and the Northern European countries. In Germany, the first wolves were spotted again in the 1990s after the extensive disappearance of the species, and since then the population has grown continuously. This has led to tensions between the interests of agriculture and nature conservation. The wolf has been protected by the EU Fauna-Flora Habitat Directive of the EU since the 1970s, which resulted in its decline in many areas, but also brought legal challenges for farms. For many farmers, this means that they need additional protection for their cattle to minimize conflicts with wolves.

The legal regulations for the wolf are different in many countries. In Austria, they are regulated in the Nature Conservation Act, while the Federal Nature Conservation Act comes into play in Germany. In most federal states in Germany, such as Saxony and Brandenburg, the regulations are more restrictive. This means that the shooting of a wolf can only be approved under strict requirements. These legal differences mean that different federal states pursue different strategies in dealing with wolf population, which in turn can lead to frustrated farmers who live in areas affected by wolves.

Current statistics on wolf deposits and cattle damage

According to the Federal Office for Nature Conservation in Germany, there were an estimated 1,300 wolves in 2022, which lived in about 300 packs (source: Federal Office for Nature Conservation ). This population has developed quite stable over the past few years. However, the increase in wolf population is sometimes associated with considerable financial losses for cattle breeders. In 2021, the Lower Saxony authorities reported an increase in the cracks of sheep and large hoof animals in more than 900 cases. This led to a damage of at least 600,000 euros, which illustrates the problem, with which cattle breeders are confronted (sources: Lower Saxony ). Although compensation in many federal states are offered for torn animals, many farmers do not feel sufficiently protected.

In Austria, the data is similarly worrying. The Austrian agricultural report shows that in 2020 alone in Vorarlberg over 100 cases of cattle damage by wolves were registered. This emphasizes the need to take the worries of farmers seriously and at the same time to reconcile nature conservation.