Carcass goes to the lab

Wildlife ecologist confirms: Wolf was shot down

Father and son spotted and photographed the wolf shortly before it was shot.(Bild: Malte Härle)

A sigh of relief for farmers, sad certainty for animal rights activists and two hikers who spotted the wolf shortly before it was shot: In the early hours of Wednesday morning, the predator was shot by a hunter near the Kanisfluh. 

"The wolf was taken painlessly and lethally in good light and from a good shooting distance", reported Hubert Schatz, wildlife ecologist and contact person and head of the large carnivore coordination group at the Vorarlberg provincial government office.

In the days before, there had been repeated wolf attacks on an alpine pasture in the rear Mellen valley: Two young cattle were torn, one calf injured. A fourth cow crashed while fleeing from the large predator and was later found dead.

Provincial Councillor Christian Gantner believes that a functioning alpine economy and safe tourism are not compatible with wolves.(Bild: Maurice Shourot)

A wolf had already attacked a cow in Bezau-Schönenbach at the end of July. The pregnant cow gave birth to its calf and had to be euthanized as a result of its injuries. 

The incidents ultimately led to an extension of the Bregenz district authority's regulation - the wolf was allowed to be hunted within a larger radius. It took until Wednesday for the suspected problem animal to be shot within the affected hunting areas. The wolf carcass is already on its way to a genetics laboratory for examination. Following the shooting, the Bregenz district authority lifted the order to take measures.

"We are on the right track"
"This wolf cull is an important signal. A functioning alpine economy and safe tourism are not compatible with wolves," emphasizes Provincial Councillor Christian Gantner and thanks the hunters for their willingness and swift action. "Our wolf management ordinance and in particular the help of the hunting community has made this swift and consistent action possible. We are on the right track."

Josef Moosbrugger, President of the Chamber of Agriculture, is also relieved: "Once again it has been confirmed that Vorarlberg hunters are a reliable partner for agriculture and alpine farming. They are masters of hunting and you can rely on them. We must continue to be vigilant in the coming days to prevent new ruminant kills."