Wolves threaten albäuer: debate about herd protection and tradition!

Wolves threaten albäuer: debate about herd protection and tradition!

Villach-Land, Österreich - in Carinthia is the 2025 alpine pasture in full swing, and as every year, around 4,000 alkalvas enjoy the pastureidyls in the green paradise of the Alps. But this year the topic of wolf hangs like a shadow over the idyllic mountains. The return of these wild animals is not only devoted to politics, but also the agricultural and hunting speakers, and they exist everywhere: the concerns and fears of the population.

Current numbers show that at least 33 wolves live in Carinthia - an increase of five animals compared to 2023. Two packs already have offspring. The harvest season 2024 brought serious losses: 93 animals fell victim to the large -scale carols, including 34 sheep and four goats who fell victim to the wolf. Although no cracks have been reported in the first quarter of 2025, the experts expect an increase in these incidents, which further reinforces the thrill in the mountains. The alpine pasture association calls for transparency when suspected of cracks and warns that if a crack assessor should be contacted.

political measures and wolf regulation

Carinthian politics took intensive concerns about the topic last year and issued a wolf regulation that takes into account both the alpine pastures and the settlement areas. The agricultural and hunting officer LR Martin Gruber emphasizes the urgency to react quickly to problem situations. Among other things, this regulation defines so -called risk oils, which are repeatedly near settlements or farms. Mayor Michael Schnabl has determined the uncertainty among the population, especially due to the wolf views and the increasing number of cracks. The regulation regulates the shooting of wolves that cause damage to farm animals. For example, wolves that tear 35 farm animals within three months can be brought to the route.

herd protection measures and their challenges

One of the key questions in the ongoing discussion is herd protection. Various measures such as pasture fences and herd protection dogs are recommended, but these are not without their problems. LK President Siegfried Huber expresses that pasture fences are often ineffective in rough terrain. In addition, herd protection dogs sometimes have their own risks. The good news: Carinthia is the first federal state that takes into account security risks not only in the mountains, but also in the valley. This shows that you take care of the problem and also work on solutions that are portable for everyone.

In the further European context, the Situation is even more complex. A current report shows that wolf population in Europe has increased by remarkable 58% in the past ten years, which results in absolute numbers 21,500 wolves. Countries such as Italy and Slovenia are particularly affected that record high population numbers. The result is not only increasing crack numbers, but also high compensation payments for livestock holders, which, according to estimates, add up to around 17 million euros per year. Wolves are important for nature, but their return also brings complex challenges for agriculture - a balance between nature conservation and interests of animal owners is urgently needed.

The debate about the return of the wolf also swings alongside the pastureidyl and remains a field of tension that affects everyone involved and leads to a dialogue.

For more detailed insights into current developments and measures on this topic, we refer to the reporting of ktn.gv.at and lko.at .