The battle for the survival of traditional Alpine agriculture enters the next round. In 2023, 540 grazing animals fell victim to large carnivores in Tyrol. The country paid around 180,000 euros in compensation: this can minimize economic damage, but not animal suffering.
Tyrol’s alpine meadows are an important recreational area for both locals and guests. About 200,000 cattle, sheep, goats and horses graze here. They provide a vibrant alpine economy and a species-rich habitat.
Last year, not only sheep and goats, but also fifteen cattle and a horse were killed or driven to death by wolves. Overall, there were fewer livestock deaths in 2023, despite the increased presence of large carnivores. Losses are 43 percent below 2022 levels. “One reason for the significant decline could be increased hunting pressure,” LHStv says. Josef Geisler (ÖVP).
333 euros compensation per grazing animal
The state of Tyrol has issued 19 shooting regulations against harmful and high-risk wolves, four of which could be observed by hunters. The 540 cracks in 2023 were compensated by the state with 180,000 euros.
“Any intrusion by a large carnivore is a state of emergency. With the compensation from the state, we can minimize the economic damage, but not the animal suffering and the psychological burden for animal owners and those responsible for the alpine pastures,” Geisler knows and therefore once again calls for regular hunting of wolves and the reduction of the EU protection status.
This year 26 sheep have been killed
This year there were 15 wolf detections – mainly in the districts of Kitzbühel and East Tyrol, as well as detections of bears in two municipal areas in Ausserfern. 26 sheep deaths have already been reported in connection with wolf attacks, with a further seven incidents still under investigation.
There are currently two shooting regulations in force in East Tyrol. After a wolf broke into a stable-like shelter in Ausservillgraten in early May, a wolf was shot immediately after the shooting permit was issued.
The entire breeding line has been wiped out
This case caused horror: the wolf destroyed an entire breeding line of spectacled sheep. 15 animals are dead and seven others are seriously injured. “The air raid shelter is four meters next to the house. It is a partially covered night cage with electric fencing and sufficient electricity if necessary. The wolf was smart and probably jumped over it,” says owner Manuel Fürhapter.
Eternal subject of herd protection
The three experimental alpine pastures in the Landeck district will also be continued this year, where supervised grazing with constant shepherds and wolf-repellent fenced overnight areas will be tested with great effort from all involved. “There were initial problems in the first year of the project, but it worked. However, the human and financial costs are extremely high. What is being done here is remarkable, but certainly not transferable to all mountain pastures across the country,” says LHStv. Josef Geisler respects the people responsible for the alpine pastures and the shepherds.
There were no cracks or direct encounters with large carnivores on all three alpine pastures of the project in the alpine summer of 2023. With 440,000 euros, the State of Tyrol supports supervised grazing with permanent livestock farming and fenced overnight accommodation on the three experimental alpine pastures for herd protection.
Herd protection on a large scale is not possible
“Both the costs and the limited availability of qualified shepherd personnel as well as the necessary requirements regarding the size and nature of an alpine pasture show that this form of herd protection is only an option for a very limited number of the approximately 400 Tyrolean alpine pastures. with grazing sheep. Herd protection on a large scale is not possible in Tyrol,” LHStv summarizes. Geisler together.
Source: Krone
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