Wolves no longer threatened: new opportunities for alpine pasture!

Wolves no longer threatened: new opportunities for alpine pasture!

The Council of the European Union has made a decisive decision that affects the management of the wolf in Europe. According to OTS , the strict protection status for wolves will no longer be maintained, since it is no longer considered an endangered animal species. This measure is welcomed by Jagd Austria because it represents an urgently needed adaptation of the nature conservation guidelines.

The alpine pastures in Austria are important hotspots of biodiversity, the support of which is now required. The organization emphasizes that alpine farmers and the associated culture have to be classified as valuable in order to maintain the traditional pasture economy. Nevertheless, many alpine farmers are fighting because attacks of wolves on pasture animals such as sheep, cows and horses cause companies to be abandoned. This not only brings with it social, but also economic challenges.

challenges for alpine pasture

The alpine pasture is one of the oldest management systems and is considered an example of multifunctional land use. In recent years, a general decline in managed alpine pastures has been recorded, which is closely related to the return of the wolf. As AG-Wildtiere , 5 % of alpine farms have already closed from 2000 to 2009. However, these changes are not only due to the presence of the wolf.

The problems of alpine pasture are complex and include both social issues and economic aspects. The return of the wolves could attract more attention to the extensive alpine pasture, but it is not the main cause of changes in management. Rather, socio-economic factors and climate change are crucial, as the changes in the species compositions on the alpine pastures are also decisive

a new way for wolf management

Hunting Austria is now calling for active monitoring of large predators and the change in the FFH guideline for the facilitated removal of striking wolves. With a monitoring plan that was decided in December 2024, it is to be started promptly. This is another step towards a professional management of wolves and other game species.

In this context, climate change is also pointed out and its influence on biodiversity. At the current UN Biodiversity Conference in Montreal, there is a search for ways to stop species death. In this context, alpine pastures as habitats are particularly important for many species. Biodiversity is a central topic that should not be lost sight of in view of the changes due to land use and climate change, as the assessment of

The upcoming measures must therefore keep an eye on both the alpine pasture and the biodiversity of the regions. In a dynamic system in which humans play an important role, everyone involved is faced with the challenge of finding the balance between economic interests and the protection of biodiversity.