The Wolf cull in Switzerland: ignoring the value of wolves.
Endangered Wildlife OÜ notes with dismay the start of a wolf cull in Switzerland.
The Swiss government has permitted hunters to shoot and kill wolves. The ‘open season’ on wolves will last from September (2024) to January (2025). Swiss Cantons must apply to the Federal government to shoot wolves. Hunters can only shoot wolves if deemed a threat to humans or farm animals. Farmers have been demanding a cull of the wolf population.
The unnecessary killing of wolves
The cull will be a drastic one and will significantly impact the population of predators.
Canton Graubünden has announced that it wants to kill 35 wolves out of a 120-wolf population—that is over one in four. This is excessive and clearly aims to wipe out the local wolf population.
The cull is justified because the ill-informed believes that wolves are a threat to animals and humans. Yet, there has not been an attack on humans in many years. While wolves do attack domestic animals such as sheep, so do dogs. There have not been calls for a cull of dogs.
Fairytales and legends
There is a deep-seated irrational fear of wolves based on fairytales and legends. This fear means that wolves are routinely killed and culled, as in Switzerland and, indeed, in other countries.
At Endangered Wildlife OÜ, we believe that wolves are important for local environments, ecosystems, and communities. Wolves are essential for Switzerland’s biodiversity.
The great value of wolves
We have developed a methodology that allows us to calculate the value of any animal to an area’s biodiversity. Biodiversity is crucial for a flourishing environment. Wolves in their natural habitat attract tourists. Tourists are willing to visit places with well-known and rare animals, including wolves.
- In 2021, we estimate that the Scandinavian grey wolves added an average value of EUR 1.9m per individual. This value includes their contribution to the ecosystem and their impact on the local tourism sector.
- In 2022, we estimate that the Grey Wolves who live in Yellowstone National Park, on average, each individual was worth EUR 4.8m.
We can do better
Endangered Wildlife OÜ understands the concerns of local communities in Switzerland. However, wolves are not just predators but vital to local areas. Wolves can be managed in nature, so they are not a threat to lifestock. Instead of being killed, they should be protected for the sake of the local ecosystem and economy.
About Endangered Wildlife OÜ
We financially value biodiversity using our Biodiversity Database and Biodiversity Valuator – which allows you to track and monitor the increase in biodiversity impact value, assess biodiversity risk, and integrate biodiversity into decision-making. We assist our clients to understand the financial value of the biodiversity that they affect, and to realise the possible value at risk due to their operations for reporting and decision-making.
