Wolf cracks in Wallis – 22 wolves on the move in Wallis – Photo traps show multiple puppies – News

• In the last ten months there have been 22 wolves in Valais, 16 of them were recently discovered.
• They tore up more than 300 farm animals, wolf tracking shows.
• The damages amounted to about 114,000 francs.

There were 22 wolves in Valais between January and the end of October, DNA tests have shown. Seven female wolves and nine wolves were added to the previously known wolves.

image
1/4

Legend:

Thanks to various photographic traps, a herd of at least four wolf cubs was confirmed in the Chablais area. If you look closely, you can see three here, taken on July 14.

Valais Game, Fish and Wildlife Department

image
2/4

Legend:

This little wolf groped his way into the Department of Game, Fish and Wildlife photo trap on September 16.

Valais Game, Fish and Wildlife Department

image
3/4

Legend:

A total of 22 different wolves were formally detected in the canton of Valais by DNA analysis. 16 new ones are added to those previously known.

Valais Game, Fish and Wildlife Department

image
4/4

Legend:

This photo was taken just two days earlier.

Valais Game, Fish and Wildlife Department

The Valais Department of Game, Fish and Wildlife confirmed a herd with at least four wolf cubs in the Chablais area and another herd with at least two young animals in central Valais. The cubs discovered them with photographic traps, they still couldn’t formally identify them using DNA.

According to the cantonal office, there are currently two confirmed wolf packs and two wolf pairs in the Valais, regularly seen in Val’Entremont and Val de Bagnes.

The wolves killed more than 300 head of cattle between January and the end of October, all sheep and goats, says Yvon Crettenand of the Department of Game, Fish and Wildlife.

Most of the cattle, 220, died in the central and lower Valais, 172 of them in the Alps, 48 ​​in spring and autumn pastures. 82 animals died in the Upper Valais.

Damage of almost 114,000 francs

According to the evaluation of the herd protection department, 65 of the torn animals were in a protected situation, 52 in an unprotected situation and 185 in an unprotected situation.

When asked how protected animals could be killed, Christine Cavalera from the department responsible for herd protection says the wolf can adapt to the measures. Such measures are, for example, fences, watchdogs or night parks. “The wolf watches the situation and finds a way to evade the measures,” says Cavalera. For example, he is no longer afraid of people.

Legend:

Map shows evidence of wolves in Switzerland between January and June 2020

zvg / © LBC, Cantone, KORA; Karte © KORA / GIS

The damage to the crevices of the farm animals assessed so far, including the veterinary expenses incurred, amounts to 113,624 francs. According to the announcement, the federal government contributes 80 percent of the amount of damages paid.