Swiss Farmers Protest Wolf Attacks on Livestock: Demand Action Against Increasing Predator Population

In a demonstration of frustration, Swiss farmers recently staged a protest outside a government building, laying the bodies of sheep killed by wolves at the doorstep. The event, which took place in front of the regional government headquarters in Lausanne, Canton Vaud, saw around a dozen breeders from the Saint-Barthelemy area participating.

Farmers Call for Measures to Address Growing Wolf Threat

The farmers voiced their concerns about the increasing wolf population in Switzerland, demanding action to address the menace posed by these predators. Eric Herb, a member of a Swiss association advocating for predator regulation, informed the media that 12 sheep were killed by wolves the previous night, adding to the toll of 17 sheep killed at the end of March and two more earlier in the week leading up to the protest.

The protest, which was coordinated with regional police, aimed to draw attention to the detrimental impact of wolf attacks on livestock farming. Farmers urged the Vaud government, particularly Environmental Minister Vassilis Venizelos of the Green Party, to resume wolf culling in the region.

Wolves have been making a comeback in Switzerland and across Europe in recent decades after being eradicated over a century ago. Since the first sighting of a wolf pack in the alpine nation in 2012, their numbers have swelled to approximately 300 wolves distributed across 32 packs.

Balancing Conservation Efforts with Livestock Protection

While conservationists view the resurgence of wolves positively, as it contributes to a more diverse ecosystem, farmers have raised concerns about the safety of their livestock. Last year, Swiss authorities relaxed regulations to permit preventive culling of wolves in heavily affected cantons. However, environmental groups intervened through legal action, halting the culls to prevent a significant decline in the wolf population.