The European Union countries, which hold the majority in the Berne Convention, rejected the Swiss proposal because the study on the protection status of the wolf had been published too late for the Governments to be able to make a decision. Switzerland has also been asked to complete its documentation on the reasons that would justify a reduction of the wolf’s protection despite the small number of animals present in the country.

This means that the wolf will remain a strictly protected species, at least for a year, when the Standing Committee will meet again.

Switzerland aims to maintain its proposal, with the intention of minimizing conflicts between wolves and farming, and making it clearer in the Convention where States are allowed to shoot wolves under specific circumstances.

Bruno Oberle, head of the Swiss Agency for the Environment, Forests and Landscape (SAEFL), said in a statement that the herd protection measures will nonetheless remain the most important focus of the Swiss Government's policy. Switzerland will also collaborate with France and Italy in a common management of wolves.

Thank you for helping put pressure on the Swiss Government! WWF will keep up that pressure over the next year to ensure the long term protection of the wolf in Europe.

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