Switzerland to Loosen Protection for Wolves

The Swiss government wants to reduce the protection for wolves in Europe. On November 16th, they submitted a proposal to change the Bern Convention. With that, wolves could be shot more freely than today.

Wolves are still protected by the stringent conditions of the Bern Convention. Switzerland wants to change this.

© Joachim Flachs

The majority of the Swiss parliament already voted for a law to relax the protection for wolves in September last year. Their members requested the government to draft a petition to modify the Bern Convention accordingly (EuroNatur reported this on October 6th, 2010). The government will now submit this proposal to the Bern Convention. In case the member states will reject this law, Switzerland will opt out completely of the agreement.
All over Europe, wolves have enjoyed special protection by the Bern Convention, which Switzerland also ratified in 1982. The international agreement aims to conserve wild fauna and flora and their habitats on a permanent basis. It lists wolves as a strictly protected species and they may therefore only be shot in exceptional cases.

Nature conservation organisations like EuroNatur are highly alarmed. EuroNatur project leader Annette Spangenberg warns: “This initiative threatens the protection of species in Europe altogether. Switzerland has often acted as a pioneer in nature conservation but with this resolution they give out entirely the wrong signal to other states.” 

 

Link to press release about KORA of 16.11.2011 (German)

Link to press release of EuroNatur of 06.10.2011

 

How you can help

Donation

Future needs nature. EuroNatur cares for it. Please use your possibilities to help. With your donation you will make an effective contribution to a more livable environment.

Sustaining membership

EuroNatur focuses on long-term nature conservation projects instead of quick fixes. With your regular donations, you give us the planning security we need.

News

Skavica mega dam: Albanian court to scrutinise special law for U.S. contractor Bechtel

++ Constitutional complaint filed by NGOs accepted for trial ++ First milestone in fight against one of Europe’s largest reservoirs ++ Thousands of…

Growing opposition to Albanian airport

++ Bern Convention calls on Albania to stop airport construction near Narta Lagoon ++ Project in Vjosa Delta endangers thousands of migratory birds ++…

EU Commission targets the wolf

Ursula von der Leyen warns of allegedly "dangerous wolves" - nature conservation organisations criticise misleading statements and dubious data…

Romanian forests: EuroNatur calls for a logging moratorium

+++ Open letter to Commissioner Sinkevičius calls for a logging moratorium in protected areas to end destruction of Romanian forests +++ Fourth…

Controversial airport construction in Albanian protected area casts shadow as far as Munich

++ Operating company Munich Airport International (MAI) is linked to illegal Vlora airport ++ Construction to take place in protected area of special…

Swimming for the monk seal

The Croatian free water swimmer Dina Levačić has been swimming in potential monk seal territories. Her campaign is aimed at drawing attention to the…

Wolf Offspring confirmed in the Black Forest

++ Photo trap image from the community of Schluchsee provides evidence of offspring ++ First wolf pack in over 150 years in Baden-Württemberg ++

Stork Village meeting in Tykocin, Poland

It was an anniversary celebrated in style: For the 20th annual meeting, representatives of the European Stork Villages met for the first time in the…

A slight sigh of relief for the Dalmatian pelicans

The Dalmatian pelicans at Lake Skadar are breeding successfully. This is all the more gratifying because last year's breeding season was disastrous.

Learning to live with bears

Preventing conflicts between people and wild animals

Urgent Call for Action to Protect Romania's Forests and Natura 2000 Sites

A recent report by EuroNatur and Agent Green provides new evidence on logging in Romania's protected areas. Nature conservation organisations call for…

Airport construction threatens Albanian bird paradise

++ Construction work for airport in Narta Lagoon continues unabated despite significant protests ++ Resting area is internationally important for…

Disappointing results of last trilogue on Renewable Energy Directive

++ Woody biomass and hydropower can continue to count towards renewable energy targets ++ No will for sustainable climate policy in the EU in sight ++

Major success: River Vjosa becomes National Park

++ Today the Vjosa River in Albania has been proclaimed Europe’s first Wild River National Park ++ EuroNatur, Riverwatch and many other partners have…

More Ski Resorts Planned Around Syvdovets

In 2016, the Transcarpathian Regional State Administration announced its plans to build a ski resort of the same name in the Svydovets mountain…