Swiss wolf hunt plan condemned

A proposal from the government of Switzerland to reinstate the hunting of wolves has been slammed by conservation group WWF. The existing wolf population in Switzerland is at most just three individuals, due to an unsuccessful reintroduction a decade ago. The proposal to allow wolf hunting throughout their European range was submitted to the Council of Europe last week.

"It is incomprehensible that Switzerland, with a wolf population of two or three individuals, has the audacity to ask the Council of Europe to allow hunting," said Jill Bowling, Director of Conservation for WWF-UK. "The wolf finally returned to Switzerland in 1995, but none of those individuals have reproduced. Any culling in the Alps would be a disaster for the wolf population. The wolf population in Switzerland does not constitute a threat to local communities, and there is no legitimate reason to decrease the wolf's protected status."

Switzerland’s call for wolf hunting follows earlier proposals to downgrade the species’ conservation status, a suggestion that was rejected after the Council accepted WWF’s plea for further research.

"It is way too early to reduce the wolf's protected status as the population in Europe is on the brink and still absent in seven EU countries," said Gerald Dick, of the WWF's European Programme. "This has nothing to do with real benefits for local communities or managing an endangered species."