This on Wolf’s Day! – The first wolf is now in sight in Lower Austria

Alarming reports that a wolf had approached several single-family homes within two meters several times – despite dogs attacking them – have now been recorded by authorities in the Zwettl district. Reason enough that, according to the state’s wolf regulations, such an animal can now be shot without official permission, the “Krone” reported.

Pernkopf puts safety first
“The conditions for removal have been met; a wolf or wolves would have exhibited striking and problematic behavior,” confirms the responsible state representative Stephan Pernkopf, who “clearly supports the population and hunters in the Zwettl district.”

There were several approaches during the day to settlements or to people less than 100 meters away. According to the ÖVP politician, people’s safety must come first and that is why the wolf rules have been drawn up in Lower Austria.

The state hunting association specifies: “There was an approach to people and the wolf was difficult to chase away. The scheme is intended to protect the civilian population and prevent significant damage to agriculture.” According to the applicable conditions, the wolf can now be removed until May 22.

Animal rights activists sounded the alarm
Animal Welfare Austria reported that a hunting area manager reportedly told hunters that a wolf had to be very conspicuous to be shot. “But that’s not him there,” said spokesman Jonas von Einem, concerned that it could be a woman or even a young mother.

According to ecologists, this is very unlikely because at this time of year there is a ‘lead female’ – that is, the mother – in the cave with the young animals. “Of course, attention is also paid to the protection of the mother animal and, if necessary, not removed,” says the Lower Austrian Hunting Association.

Advertisement confirmed
An advertisement is also confirmed by the state, but the content is not stated. According to sources from “Krone”, the complaint is against a person from hunting circles who had already “broadcast” the shooting of the animal.

“Shooting should never be the first resort, but always the last resort,” emphasizes the WWF, which calls for the animal to be collared and, if necessary, frightened – by being bombarded with rubber ammunition – before being removed . According to the Austrian wolf management plan, which Lower Austria has also agreed to, an analysis is first needed so that the wrong wolf is not shot, says WWF wolf expert Christian Pichler. At the same time, there must also be more information and education for the population.

‘Hunting’ can be difficult
After the sightings, the hunters now have four weeks to shoot the wolf. If he no longer stands out, it will not be easy, as shown by the research project of the Ministry of Defense and the State of Lower Austria on the Allentsteig military training area: since 2019, only seven wolves have been fitted with collars there. However, the wolves are not shot there, but captured with an officially approved foot trap. The predators are then anesthetized and, after a veterinary examination, fitted with a tracking device.

The last animals will be fitted with a collar in 2023. None of the seven wolves equipped with a transmitter are currently in Austria. Speaking of Austria: since 2022, seventeen wolves have been shot nationwide. The vast majority were shot in Carinthia.