20
Jan 2009 - The wolf population in the Alps
appears to be on the increase. - There are
now over 100 individuals in France and Italy,
and approximately 40 in Germany. Records
show that 8 individuals have now made it
across the border from Italy into Switzerland
with one sighted in the Obwald canton after
an absence of 160 years.
Reception across the
Alps has been mixed. Protection measures
in France have caused a decrease of livestock
predation despite the increase of the wolf
population. This brought about a guarded
acceptance of wolves by the local population.
In Valle d’Aosta, Italy,
the reaction to the establishment of a new
pack of wolves was altogether rather more
negative, following a number of predations
on livestock.
The Swiss’ welcome to
the wolves has also been lukewarm, mostly
caused by the predation on livestock during
summer, which resulted in the sanctioned
shooting of a few individuals.
Overall, it is quite
clear that protection measures can be highly
successful in limiting damage to domestic
stock. This in turn leads to greater acceptance
of the species. However, the implementation
of protection measures is still rather limited,
and takes place mostly after the wolves’
return instead of as a preventive measure.
In the border area between
Italy, Germany and Switzerland, WWF is supporting
a project focused on preparing for the arrival
of bears (www.ursina.org). The Ursina Project
aims at the implementation of livestock
protection measures. Another goal is to
inform the local population on how best
to live with these majestic beings.
Bears have also had
a tumultuous year. The crossing of a couple
of individuals into Switzerland from Italy
met with a sad end. JJ3, the overcurious
male bear from Trentino Alto Adige, was
shot following the authorization of the
Swiss government. His much shyer mate MJ4
made it back to Italy unharmed.
A population of 25-30
bears is present in the Italian Alps and
the good news is that approximately 8 cubs
were born in 2008 in the Trentino region.
This is all the more important since the
corridor linking Italy to Slovenia (where
most of the bears originated from) seems
to be scarcely used lately, due to the Slovenians’
harsh hunting policies.
However, also in Italy
the co-existence between man and bear in
2008 has not been an easy one. JJ5 (JJ3’s
brother), has been wrecking havoc to livestock
only 100km from Milan. JJ5’s behavior has
emphasized the need for prevention measures
in this area where the typical situation
is of small, unguarded flocks. Easy prey
for bears!
In 2008 WWF Italy (with
the Italian Ministry of the Environment)
lead an important prevention program focusing
on training Italian environment officials
on bear management issues, providing ‘bear-proof’
fencing and informing the local population
on effective co-existence measures.
The situation in the
Austrian Alps is rather dire for bears:
only 2 of the 30 original bears were confirmed
to be alive. Poaching still seems to be
the most serious threat for the bears’ survival
in this country.
Lynx have traditionally
been considered the ‘ghosts’ of the Alps
because of the difficulty in tracking them.
The healthiest population in the Alps resides
in Switzerland, with a stable, albeit small
population of 100 individuals.
A population of about
20-30 individuals is also present on the
French side of the Jura mountains. In 2008
a radio-collared lynx crossed the border
into Italy’s Stelvio National Park.
Austria and Italy are said to have a few
individuals each but little is known of
their exact numbers and location.
In Germany there are
three small populations (eastern Bavaria,
Black Forest/Pfälzerwald and Mittelgebirge
Harz/Central Germany), but sadly they are
all isolated from one another.
WWF’s efforts in 2008
have concentrated particularly on the implementation
of livestock protection measures since they
have proved not only successful in guarding
against bears ands wolves, but also in turning
public opinion around in favour of large
carnivores.
Work in 2009 will continue
with renewed energy, gathering strength
from the quiet knowledge that the “famous
three” are amongst us once again!
