In the Schwarzwassertal valley in Tyrol’s Ausserfern region, the alpine season is over before it really starts! Hundreds of sheep were driven away again because of wolves and bears. Many are now facing the slaughter. The farmers have no other solution, because in the summer it is simply too hot for the animals in the valley.
About two weeks ago, about 300 sheep were brought from the Tyrolean Unterland to the Schwarzwassertal. “Because for us it was one of the few alpine pastures in Tyrol that was still wool-free until now. It is no longer feasible for us to drive to an alpine pasture. The wolf is on the move everywhere, and now the bear too. it also affects us here,” said Reinhard Astner van Itter, who was shocked. It was he who organized the breeding of the sheep from the Unterland to the Schwarzwassertal.
Lots of sheep for slaughter
A few days ago the sheep were returned to the lowlands. Astner is surprised. Also because a large proportion of the animals are now slaughtered. “It’s not funny that we have to behave like this. Each of our animals has a name, which the children often gave them.”
He sees no alternatives. “In Brixental, we haven’t had a mountain pasture without a wolf or bear for a long time,” says Astner. Keeping them in a barn or on a pasture during the summer is not an alternative. “It is much too hot in the valley, there is a risk of parasites in the barn – that would border on animal cruelty,” he emphasizes. “Now taking the animals to the butcher – we really don’t like doing that.”
“Tourists Should Scream”
Astner sees hope only if – as announced – a firing order is issued quickly. Then you could increase it again. But more time would probably pass before the wolf was captured. “Now the tourism industry has to cry out. It’s no use if everyone shuts up because they’re afraid their chair will be sawn!”
‘We must act quickly now’
“The Alm season could not have started worse,” Josef Hechenberger, chairman of the Tyrolean LK, recently told the “Krone”. And further: “The fact that cracks have already appeared in many neighborhoods confirms the explosive nature of the situation. Now you have to act quickly, when sampling, evaluating and photographing.”
The Tyrolean state government only issued a hunting ordinance for a wolf in East Tyrol halfway through this week. Another followed on Friday – for a wolf in the Ötztal, where several dead sheep had also recently been found.
Killing now allowed by ordinance
In April, a law amendment was passed in the Tyrolean state parliament, which now allows killing by decree and no longer on the basis of notification. Previous decisions had been overturned by the court several times after environmental protection organizations successfully appealed.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
