A pack of wolves was discovered during the month of July in the mountains of the canton. After those of Marchairuz, Risoud, Mont Tendre, Jougne-Sujet and Haute Valserine, it is the sixth pack documented in the Franco-Swiss Jura Arc.
After the discovery of this pack by the Fauncies of the Wildlife, Forests and Nature Service (SFFN), follow-up was set up, the canton of Neuchâtel said in a press release. Investigations have been launched in order to characterize the territory it occupies with, in particular, the strengthening of the network of photographic traps.
SFFN’s devices made it possible to photograph a visibly breastfeeding wolf in the Brévine region, but the canton of Neuchâtel does not provide any photo related to the wolf. The guards and the fuels then strengthened their monitoring and discovered six cubs. For the time being, young people do not yet accompany adults.
The discovery of this pack confirms the progress of the wolf towards the eastern part of the Jura chain. Neuchâtel specialists systematically share the information gathered with their counterparts in the canton of Vaud and neighboring France.
To intervene on a pack, you must obtain the green light from the Confederation: “It requires closer collaboration, not only with the Confederation which delivers shooting authorizations, but also with the other cantons of the Jura Arc, with whom we must share the management”, explains Christophe Noël, head of the Neuchâtel service of fauna, forests and nature.
He notes that in Switzerland, when wolves are installed, there is an increase in damage to rent animals. But some packs do not cause it: “they are rather discreet and feed essentially, or even only wild animals”.
Help people managing herds
“There are people who work every day and who have a ball in the stomach. Now the canton must support them because solutions to protect herds exist,” said Yves Bongard, of the association Avenir Loup Lynx Jura.
For him, regulating this canine is counterproductive: “100%security does not exist. But, overall, we know today that if we make more compact herds and mix cows, calves, heifers, they are entirely able to defend themselves”.
>> Listening to Yves Bongard, of the Avenir Loup Lynx Jura association, in the morning:
As this represents additional work to place fences or move the animals, he considers that aid to breeders must relate to this point.
A plan put in place
Since the first wolf observations in 2022, the canton of Neuchâtel has set up a measuring plan, in collaboration with the Confederation and the various environments concerned, in particular the scientists of the fondation Kora.
This plan concerns the protection of herds, monitoring, information, awareness and regulatory measures.
>> Consulting card: The monitoring of the wolf population in Switzerland by the Kora – Ecology of Carnivores and Wildlife Management
Radio subject: Romain Bardet
Web article: Stéphanie Jaquet and ATS