Management of large predators
Target number 1 of the canton of Vaud for two years, the wolf M351 still escapes
A wolf was killed in Montricher. The state says that he no longer has a shooting authorization while the predations continue.
A wolf seen on a photographic trap, at the start of the year at Isle. The sector has been on the territory of the Mail of Montrendre and its male Alpha, targeted by the canton for two years. He has just escaped again.
KORA
During the night of August 1 to 2, the Fauna Guards shot a wolf in the Vaudois Jura, on the territory of Montricher. She was in a group of four wolves, near a herd, Tuesday said the state of Vaud.
The problem is that it was not the one who was targeted.
It has now been two years since the canton of Vaud wants the skin of the famous M351, head of the Mill du Mont-Tendre, a wolf from Germany whose DNA is found each year on predated animals. In 2023, a first shooting request was refused by the OFEV, because the wolf was no longer isolated and fell under the protection of diets and reproductive couples. The Vassilis Venizelos State Councilor, criticized for not having asked the shooting earlier, finally obtained an authorization in early December for M351 or one of his young people, valid until January 31, 2024. But the shot, in Montricher, reached a former louveteau de la Meute.
Taking advantage of the second season during which Berne authorizes the regulation of the whole pack, Vaud obtains the abolition of that of Montrendre but provided, according to the OFEV, to target the cubs first. The agents put the packagebut missing several opportunities. In the end, five wolves were killed, including M99, chief of the Risoud pack.
Wounded, M351 has happened
M351 will finally be reached by a bullet crossing his jaw in early December 2024. It quickly appears that the animal came out again. Worse: the pack has happened again.
Last May, under political pressure and tuncus so as not to call on the hunters, the canton obtains a new shooting authorization, due to the unwanted behavior of a wolf, “probably M351”, in beer. As the deadline approaches, Vaud requests a new authorization at the end of June. With conditions, the FOV authorizes the shooting of two thirds of the new range or M351 if proof came to formally attribute enough attacks. Which finally falls in July.
We know the rest. Analyzes will have to confirm age and identify the adult wolf down in place of M351, which opponents hope that they are not the reproductive female. “Potentially a bursting of the pack and the risks for the wolves,” condemn the activists of Defend The Wolf, denouncing “a new blunder”. An allusion to another recent shot: M121, author of the attacks around Rances, injured but not found.
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Request new shots against the wolf
According to its analysis, the canton has no more shooting authorization in the sector. “This shot highlights the difficulty of wolf regulation operations. The risk of shooting down a wolf other than it targeted by the administrative decision is real, and all the cantons must deal with this difficulty, “reacts the Directorate General of the Environment, which will observe on the ground the effects of this operation before considering the continuation.
Chance of the calendar, supporters of regulation required new shots on Tuesday, after several new predations in high impact in the Montrendre sector.
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