A DNA finding that has been received says that a wolf detected in sheep tears on July 9 in East Tyrolean Lavant is highly likely to have descended from the two “problem wolves”, said LHStv. and Agrarian Councilor Josef Geisler (ÖVP) on Tuesday. The WWF protested sharply against the procedure and announced a complaint.
“A threat to alpine animals”
According to Geisler, no further relationships between the seven different wolf individuals found in East Tyrol this year have been identified in the DNA comparisons. “These problem wolves not only kill sheep, but also almost adult cattle. They are a threat to all alpine animals. We must absolutely prevent a pack from forming that even kills cattle,” emphasized the deputy governor. The “removal” is legally covered. This is also confirmed by a legal opinion commissioned by the state.
17 sheep killed
The two wolves, a female and a male individual from an Italian population, were detected in Lavant on July 24th. 17 sheep and one goat died. In addition, an ox was killed on the Lavanter Alm, “with a high degree of probability” by a wolf, the state had said. The competent board of trustees, which is to decide on how to deal with large predators, therefore recommended shooting the two animals.
Criticism from the WWF
The nature conservation organization WWF criticized Geisler’s “sticking to the firing order” despite the two puppies. The procedure was “a frightening breach of taboo,” said Christian Pichler, wolf expert from WWF Austria, in a broadcast. Geisler knows that the puppies depend on the parent animals for care. Nevertheless, he is sticking to the shooting: “It is neither legally, professionally nor morally acceptable”. It needs an examination of the decision by the state administrative court. “We will file a complaint against the shooting,” announced Pichler – as with another “problem wolf” before. Based on the evidence of young animals of the two wolves based on DNA analysis, the map of the “Austrian Center Bear Luchs Wolf” already shows the wolf family as a new pack, the WWF emphasized.
issue in the election campaign
The topic of wolves and bears has been causing a stir in Tyrol for several years and is also heating up tempers in the current state election campaign. In the last session of the state parliament before the summer, a decision was made with a majority of the ÖVP and Greens coalition that enables grazing zones to be examined. The handling of the animals should be defined in the zones. The opposition had voted against it in protest against Black-Green. Only a year ago, the Board of Trustees was set up to decide on how to deal with conspicuous animals. To date, no wolf has been officially killed, despite a decision to kill it.
Source: Nachrichten
