Wolf attacks on livestock fall to thirty animals in Grisons

Wolf attacks on livestock have declined in Grisons. By the end of July the cantonal count stood at 30 farm animals taken, compared with 68 recorded in the same period last year.

The trend concerns the whole country. During the alpine grazing season 183 animals were killed in Switzerland, against 402 the previous year. The national figure does not include Ticino, which has not yet published its own data.

Arno Puorger, the cantonal officer for large predators, described the difference from previous years as notable. He nonetheless warned against drawing hasty conclusions, since annual values fluctuate considerably.

Several elements act on predation at the same time. Puorger points to herd protection measures, regulatory culls, weather patterns and the availability of wild prey.

Packs, cubs and other species

David Gerke, director of Gruppo Lupo Svizzera, believes preventive regulation can bring relief at local level. In his view it does not explain the reduction observed on a large scale.

Two packs reproduced this year. The Calanda pack had seven cubs, the Seta pack near Arosa six.

On 5 July a head of cattle was killed in the Prättigau. After the incident cantonal authorities sought authorisation from the Federal Office for the Environment, which allowed the culling of two thirds of one pack's cubs. The animals have not yet been located.

The cantonal report also documents the presence of other species. It recorded 58 bear tracks in the Lower Engadine and 311 lynx sightings across much of Grisons territory. The golden jackal was reported at Scuol and Vals.

For livestock farmers in the valleys, the number of animals lost remains the most immediate measure of the problem. This year's figures point to a lighter season, without clarifying how much of the result depends on the measures adopted and how much on passing conditions.