Der Wolf im Nationalpark der Abruzzen – Erfahrungen sammeln und Vergleiche mit der Schweiz ziehen | The Wolf in the Abruzzi National Park – Gaining experience and comparing with Switzerland

Abstract

Slowly but surely the wolf is moving north and has reached the southern frontiers of Switzerland. Individual animals have already crossed the border and surfaced in the media as the«problem animals». The pressure arising from the wolf's impulse to settle will continue, and probably even increase. The working group Forest and Wild Animals of the Swiss Forestry Society spent 5 days in Italy on a field trip with the aim of collecting information and gaining knowledge of the wolf in Italy, in order to carry out a comparative study with Switzerland. In central Italy, where the wolf has always lived, hunting is not made impossible nor has cattle breeding ever been in doubt. In addition, local tourist industries have cleverly managed to market the wolf. The most striking feature is that the population in Italy understands how to go about their work without – or with a minimum of – conflict with the wolf. This is also the determining difference when it comes to coping with the diffusion of the wolf with as little conflict as possible. People in Switzerland still have to learn to cope with the wolf. Consistent and thorough herding and protection measures for sheep must be introduced and supported. The game populations in Switzerland are high but – as with sheep holding – not adapted to the presence of the wolf. Initially, therefore,attacks are to be expected in some regions until the game has acquired a more adaptive behaviour. The immigration of the wolf into Switzerland will hardly pass without conflict. Perhaps, however, it can be facilitated if the population of Switzerland can (re-)learn to live with the wolf. One great difference between Italy and Switzerland springs immediately to mind: while the population density is low in those areas of Italy where the wolf has its habitat, in Switzerland there are very few regions with a comparably low population density. This does not pose a problem for the wolf– it is adaptable – but it does add to the potential for conflict that can be expected to arise from the ongoing immigration. Within the present, ever-changing framework, humankind's relation with the wolf will continue to give rise to new questions. Successful answers and results will only follow from consistently solid work based on accurate information. This is all the more true because it concerns long-term development to meet a goal which calls for the integration of demands, claims,opinions and realpolitik, and the pressure from the wolf. We believe that our report contributes towards this goal.