Swiss Review 2/2020

Swiss Review / April 2020 / No.2 6 Focus THEODORA PETER In 1995, wolves re-entered Switzer- land via the rough mountain terrain that straddles the country’s southern border. All males, they had broken off from their packs in the French-Ital- ian Alps and set off north in search of new territory. Female wolves fol- lowed later, providing offspring. At the end of 2019, the total number of wolves counted in the cantons of Grisons, Ticino, Valais and Vaud stood at around 80 (divided into eight packs). If their numbers continue to grow unchecked, up to 300 wolves could be roaming the country within the next ten years. This would bring Switzerland to the limit of what it can offer wolves in terms of liveable hab- itat. Theoretically, the 20,000 or so square kilometres of Swiss Alpine and Jura terrain is big enough for 60 packs of five to six wolves each. Ac- cording to Reinhard Schnidrig, head of the Wildlife and Forest Biodiver- sity Section of the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), 20 packs are necessary to assure the wolf’s long-term future (see interview on page 9). For over 120 years, Switzerland was a wolf-free country, after centu- ries of hunting by humans culmi- nated in the last native wolf being shot dead in Ticino in 1872. The only place Canis lupus was still welcome was in captivity. The mammal was among the most popular attractions when Basel Zoo opened in 1874 – The wolf is here to stay The first wolves wandered back into Switzerland 25 years ago. Around 80 wolves now roam the Swiss Alps and Jura mountains, and their numbers are growing rapidly. Currently a protected species, the wolf is beginning to come under pressure again.