Table of Contents
- 0.1 Hunter thinks three lynxes are wolves
- 0.2 How could the mistake happen?
- 0.3 These rules apply in Germany
- 0.4 These penalties threaten
- 0.5 That’s how many wolves live in Germany
- 1 **To what extent does this incident highlight the potential dangers of relying on thermal imaging technology for species identification during hunting operations?**
Chur (Switzerland) – In Germany the wolf is strictly protected, in Switzerland it is permitted to be shot (under certain conditions). 32 wolves were killed in the Alpine republic this year alone. But now a Swiss hunter has made a fatal mistake.
The Weidmann accidentally killed three strictly protected lynx while hunting wolves – even though he actually wanted to shoot three wolf pups.
The mix-up caused outrage and great consternation in the canton of Graubünden (Switzerland). The incident occurred during wolf regulation, during which three wolf pups from a problem pack were to be tracked down and shot.
In Switzerland, wolves can be killed if they cause damage to farm animals, endanger people or appear in packs that are too large.
Hunter thinks three lynxes are wolves
Equipped with thermal imaging technology, the hunter discovered three wolf-like ones Predators and shot. But instead of the wolf pups he was looking for, he met two young lynxes and their father.
As in this picture from Norway, a hunter shot lynx in Switzerland. He actually wanted to kill three wolves (symbolic photo)
After the fatal miss, the hunter reported himself to his superior. The head of the hunting and fishing office said in a statement: “We deeply regret the incident and will deal with it completely.”
The public prosecutor’s office will now decide whether the accident will have criminal consequences. One thing is clear: lynxes are strictly protected animals, the loss of which has a severe impact on the already fragile population.
The Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) is protected by nature conservation law and is protected by the Berne Convention and the European Union’s Fauna-Flora-Habitat Directive
How could the mistake happen?
The mix-up raises many questions: Was the thermal imaging technology faulty? Should the firing have been better controlled?
Animal rights activists are already calling for stricter rules for wolf regulation.
These rules apply in Germany
Shooting wolves is only permitted in Germany if the animals pose a danger to people or harm livestock and requires official approval. Problem wolves that overcome fences or approach people can also be killed under certain conditions. In Germany only three wolves were legally shot this year.
In Germany, wolves fall under the European Fauna-Flora-Habitat Directive (FFH Directive) and the Federal Nature Conservation Act
Wolves are repeatedly killed illegally in Germany, which violates the Federal Nature Conservation Act. In 2020, two wolves were found shot near a forest path in Brandenburg. In 2021, a wolf was illegally killed and dumped in a river in Saxony-Anhalt.
Wolves are repeatedly killed illegally in Germany. There are high penalties
These penalties threaten
Unauthorized killing of a wolf can result in a fine of up to 50,000 euros or a prison sentence of up to five years.
In Germany, the topic of wolf protection is always controversially discussed, especially in regions with high wolf populations. Many livestock owners are calling for the protection status to be relaxed, while conservationists are vehemently campaigning for the preservation of wolves.
Read also
That’s how many wolves live in Germany
There are 209 wolf packs in Germany (as of 2024), mainly in Brandenburg, Lower Saxony and Saxony. A total of 1,601 wolves were recorded, including 535 adults. Population growth is slowing.
The main cause of death remains road traffic with 150 of 193 dead wolves. There were also 13 illegal killings.
**To what extent does this incident highlight the potential dangers of relying on thermal imaging technology for species identification during hunting operations?**
## Swiss Hunter Mistakes Lynxes for Wolf Pups, Sparking Outrage
A Swiss hunter has sparked outrage after mistakenly killing three lynx while aiming for wolf pups, raising concerns about wolf hunting regulations in Switzerland.
The incident occurred during a wolf population control operation in the canton of Graubünden. The hunter, equipped with thermal imaging technology, spotted three figures resembling wolves and fired, only to discover he had shot two young lynxes and their father instead. [1]
This tragic error has been condemned by authorities and the public alike. The head of the hunting and fishing office expressed deep regret over the incident, assuring the public it would be thoroughly investigated. The hunter has reported himself to his superiors and the public prosecutor’s office will determine if criminal charges will be filed. [1]
The loss of three lynx is a serious blow to their already fragile population in Switzerland, where they are strictly protected by law. Animal rights activists are calling for stricter regulations surrounding wolf hunting in light of this tragic event. [1]
The incident raises crucial questions about the reliability of thermal imaging technology in differentiating between species, and the need for more rigorous control measures during hunting operations. [1]
While Switzerland permits the killing of wolves under specific circumstances – such as causing damage to livestock, endangering humans, or existing in packs that are too large – Germany maintains stricter protections, allowing wolf culling only when there is a direct threat to human life or livestock. [1]
This stark contrast in regulations highlights the complex and often contentious issue of balancing wildlife conservation with human safety and economic interests.
