Alpine farmers sound wolf alarm after livestock attacks

Wolf attacks on farm animals on Alpine pastures have taken on a “new dimension”, according to the Swiss Farmers’ Union, which is calling for “new solutions to contain the growing wolf population”. The union said in a statement on Tuesday it expected applications to shoot wolves to be approved quickly and without red tape. It also wants the government and parliament to quickly create new laws for a targeted wolf control as well as support for the farmers affected. Last September almost 52% of voters rejected making it easier to shoot wolves. Rural cantons had backed the changes, which would have allowed cantons to cull wild animals that they considered problematic without asking for federal permission. The authorities usually grant permits only if a wolf kills a certain number of livestock over a period of time. The Swiss Farmers’ Union noted there had been several incidents over the past few days: in canton Vaud six calves and in canton Graubünden two cattle had been killed.