The shooting order for the two wolves “108MATK” and “121FATK” in Lavant in East Tyrol was referred back to the authorities for a new decision. In the case of the problem wolf “158MATK” released for shooting in the Wipptal (district of Innsbruck-Land), the suspensive effect of a complaint was granted, the state announced on Tuesday.
This means that a complaint, for example from the WWF, is now possible. The firing orders valid until October 31, 2022 are no longer enforceable. According to the country, the hunters have already been informed.
Correct marking was missing
In the case of the wolf in East Tyrol, the state administrative court lacked precise identification of which pair of wolves should be shot, the “Tiroler Tageszeitung” reported in its online edition. In the decision there is only one wolf in the region. According to the state, the court argues that it is not sufficiently ensured that the “right” wolves are removed. A spokeswoman for Deputy Governor Josef Geisler (ÖVP) emphasized that the state administrative court had revoked and referred back the decisions, but had not decided on the matter.
According to Geisler, the focus is now on a rapid revision of the hunting law. The latter was last ventilated by ÖVP boss and state election top candidate Anton Mattle. “There is no way around a new state law for the removal of problem wolves. Unfortunately, we can’t get any further with the current system. It leaves too much room for delays and legal sophistry,” explained Geisler in a reaction. The amendment should be decided this year. “In the meantime, we’re keeping to the line and exhausting the current possibilities. As early as next week, the board of trustees wolf, bear, lynx will meet and decide on the danger of other wolf individuals in East Tyrol. There are already over 200 sheep there this summer and also one almost fully grown one cattle fell victim to wolves,” said the deputy governor. If necessary, “new legal territory” should also be entered.
ÖVP sharply criticizes WWF
The aim remains the adaptation of the FFH (Flora-Fauna-Habitat) directive and a cross-border analysis of the wolf population. “Without the EU’s understanding that the wolf is no longer threatened with extinction, all efforts at state level will only have the character of combating the symptoms,” emphasized Geisler.
ÖVP club chairman Jakob Wolf found sharp words. The cancellation of the shooting orders for problem wolves is “unacceptable”. The state legislature will not let the WWF “tear any further”. “As the state legislator, the Tyrolean state parliament has amended the Tyrolean hunting law with the clear aim that problem wolves can be removed. If the WWF constantly torpedoes this wish of the legislator and believes that it has to prevent every shooting through objections, then we will regulate it in the law that an annulment by the state administrative court is no longer possible,” said Wolf in the direction of the organization. Immediately after the state elections, an amendment to the hunting law will be initiated and shootings will no longer be regulated by notifications, but by ordinance. The club chairman also accused the WWF of ambiguity: “It’s a farce for me that the massive animal suffering of sheep, which often perish in agony, apparently doesn’t seem to play a role for the WWF.”
Transmitter for wolves?
The reaction of the Green coalition partner was somewhat different. His state election top candidate Gebi Mair once again called for wolves to be equipped with transmitters. He, too, located legal sophistry, the path of which “no sheep has protected anymore.” “If we had forced the tagging of wolves in the spring, as we suggested, we would not be in this unfortunate situation today. I am annoyed that the sheep farmers are being put off all year round instead of doing what is possible and feasible is,” Mair said.
For the Tyrolean NEOS the stop by the State Administrative Court (LVwG) for possible wolf shooting in Tyrol is “unacceptable”. “Again, the matter is being delayed by legal sophistry,” said State Deputy Andreas Leitgeb. Of course you have to accept this decision, “but it’s time for action to follow. Sheep farmers and farmers can’t be put off forever.”
Chamber of Agriculture calls for new rules
President of the Chamber of Agriculture Abg. Josef Hechenberger (ÖVP) called for an “immediate new legal regulation after the cancellation of the shooting decisions”. Time is pressing, and not just since today. The fact that the shooting orders that were valid until the end of October can no longer be carried out shows how far we are from practical predator management. If there is no new legal regulation or an amendment to the hunting law quickly, then many farmers will probably consider whether to drive their animals to the pastures at all next summer or give up animal husbandry completely,” Hechenberger said, alarmed and added: “We are putting our alpine farming at risk in favor of a predator that is no longer threatened with extinction.” Action must be taken, “and this autumn – political commitments must then also be implemented.”
Source: Nachrichten
