Defenders of the wolf demonstrate in the Vaudois Jura
Regulatory shots on two young wolves from the Marchairuz pack were requested by the Vaud authorities.
Some 150 wolf defenders demonstrated peacefully on Saturday afternoon at the Col du Marchairuz in the Vaud Jura. They demand from the canton of Vaud a suspension or a moratorium on regulatory firing on two young wolves of the Marchairuz pack.
Under the slogans “Stop wolf shootings at the Marchairuz” or “Cohabitation with the wolf”, the approach is meant to be citizen, told Keystone-ATS Alain Prêtre, organizer, retired journalist and wildlife photographer. “As citizens, we must react. It is about political shootings to calm the breeders. The gun should not be the only solution, ”says Chaux-de-Fonnier, an ardent defender of wildlife.
Denouncing the planned slaughter of two young wolves by the township, the priest does not mince his words: Vaud shows “extremism and amateurism” in “his management of the risk of wolves” for the herd and the councilor of the state in charge of the environment, Béatrice Métraux, “declared war on the wolf”.
He regrets the absence of a “gentler solution”, “protective rather than reactive and expeditious”. The environmental minister was also booed by the demonstrators during the speeches.
“Absurd and counterproductive”
“The slaughter of two wolves is absurd and counterproductive. Not only does it not solve anything, but amplifies the risk of predation on the herds. This will indisputably lead to the breaking up and dispersal of the pack, ”explains Mr. Prêtre.
“Hunting a deer or a boar, the wolf’s favorite prey, requires a collective attack. An isolated wolf is unable to kill a large herbivore such as a deer. This means that attacks on calves, which are much smaller prey, will multiply as soon as the pack breaks up, ”he continues.
The naturalist also deplores the attitude of certain NGOs, such as Pro Natura and WWF. “They take note of the legal decision of the Federal Office for the Environment (to authorize regulatory firing, editor’s note). They are not very mobilized or very interested, ”he says.
Each in turn
Three weeks ago, it was the breeders and shepherds of the Vaudois Jura, worried about their herds, who had gathered in Mollens, at the foot of Mont-Tendre. They had lit a “fire of warning and solidarity” with the farmers affected by the attacks. About 250 people were present.
Wolf attacks on cattle have increased in recent months in the Vaud Jura. Since the start of the summer season, for example, eleven cattle and four goats have been attacked. A dozen wolves are said to be present in the region.
At the beginning of August, the Vaud authorities requested the regulation fire of two wolf cubs from the Marchairuz pack, a first for the canton. The firing authorization of the FOEN, unsuccessful so far, runs until March 31.
A second pack
At the end of September, the canton announced the presence of a second pack of wolves, identified in the Risoud massif, in the Vallée de Joux. No attacks on herds have been reported in this area. The two Vaudois packs are currently the only ones present throughout the Franco-Swiss Jura Arc.
Last March, the Department of the Environment and Security (DES) decided to strengthen the support and support system for breeders. Analysis of the vulnerability of the alpine pastures of the Vaudois Jura, strengthening of advice to farmers and even the hiring of shepherds’ helpers were added to other initiatives already in place, such as a computer alert service. The use of guard dogs and fences is also being studied.
Posted today at 17:21
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