Graubünden's Wolf Reduction Plans Slammed as Symbol Politics
The canton of Graubünden is facing international criticism for its world population reduction plans. The Bern Convention has slammed the canton's wolf population reduction plans, while local wildlife groups have labelled it as symbol politics. The canton's actions, driven by ideology, aim to favour livestock farming over wolves, which play a crucial role in the ecosystem.
The canton's proposal to extensively reduce the wolf population with the help of hobby hunters has been met with strong opposition. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has condemned the canton's actions, stating that they are a frontal attack on the protected wolf species. The canton's plans include shooting wolf packs that may not even exist, a move that has been deemed ethically unacceptable, especially for killing wolf cubs.
The canton's actions are not situationally or selectively reacting to problems or damages, but a general and extensive reduction of the wolf population. This approach has been criticized as not pragmatic administration, but rather symbol politics, according to the IG Wild beim Wild. The canton's ideology favours livestock farming over the preservation of wolves, which are important for the ecosystem.
It is worth noting that the decrease in attacks is primarily the result of strengthened herd protection since 2022. By the end of September 2024, improved herd protection has significantly decreased the number of killings by wolves in Graubünden and Wallis. This success has been overshadowed by the canton's controversial plans to shoot wolf packs that exist only in speculation to proactively protect livestock and prevent potential damage.
The canton of Graubünden's plans to extensively reduce the wolf population have been internationally condemned. The canton's actions, driven by ideology and favouring livestock farming over wolves, have been labelled as symbol politics and a frontal attack on the protected wolf species. Despite the success of strengthened herd protection in reducing wolf attacks, the canton continues to pursue controversial plans to shoot wolf packs that may not even exist.
