This brings the shooting of entire wolf pack

Provision of wolves has been possible for two years. Four packs were shot down completely. A herd protection dog and three lynxes also fell victim to the wolf hunt. In an analysis, the federal government takes stock. The most important questions and answers.

At times it was the most controversial question in Switzerland: Can wolves be shot down before causing damage – although the species is considered protected? This has been allowed since the end of 2023 to protect the mountain agriculture.

Since then, the cantons have had the opportunity to decimate the wolf population during two periods: in the winter of 2023/2024 and from September 1, 2024 to January 31, 2025. On Tuesday, the Federal Office for the Environment (BAFU) presented an analysis of what that brought.

1. How did the wolf population develop?

At the end of December 2023, 36 wolf packs lived in Switzerland, 122 puppies were born that year. Between December 2023 and January 31, 2024, the federal government released 100 wolves, 55, a pack was eradicated. After the first regulatory period, 314 wolves were demonstrably lived in 35 packs in Switzerland.

In 2024, new pack formed, so that their number rose to 39 by the end of the year. At least 139 puppies were born. The BAFU released 125 wolves for the shooting period from autumn 2024-2025. 92, including three whole pack, were shot down effectively. According to the BAFU, 320 wolves have been detected in Switzerland, 12 packs are considered unproblematic: « The quick growth of the wolf population was slowed down. »

2. Why weren’t all approved kills realized?

The wolf hunt is very complex. « It is night work at every weather, the terrain is often difficult, » writes the Bafu. Wolves do not adhere to national borders, individual animals and packs can flee abroad before hunting. The BAFU writes.

According to Bafu, few misconceptions also show how difficult the hunting is. A herd protection dog and three lynxes were mistakenly killed. The majority of young wolves were eliminated as it was intended. « The cantons take care of care, » said the Bafu.

3. Can the sheep breathe a sigh of relief now?

If you benefit from good herd protection: yes. The federal government pays millions so that farm animals can be protected from the wolf. In 2022, almost 1800 farm animals fell victim to the wolf, in 2024 there were still 926. This is almost a halving. According to BAFU, this is due to the two pillars of wolf management: the protective measures and the kills. Although it is not yet possible to say whether the wolves develop more shyly from humans because of the kills.