Carinthia in turmoil: Protest against wolf firing before the state government!

Carinthia in turmoil: Protest against wolf firing before the state government!

This day, June 30, 2025, there is a significant protest of the VGT in Carinthia (association against animal factories) before the office of the Carinthian state government. The environmentalists demonstrate against the recent regulation of the regional council of Gruber, which regulates the shooting of wolves in Carinthia. This measure affects sharp criticism, since it was not enforced by notification, but was enforced as a regulation, which is withdrawn from a legally verifiable rejection by environmental associations. The situation is considered worrying, since the kills are considered unlawful and would probably not withstand in court, as [ots.at] (https://www.ots.at/presseaus-sung/ots_20250630_ots00/vgt-protest-dam-tder-kaerntner- Landes government-stopp-Stopp-Stopp-stopp-stopp-stopp-stopp-stopp-stopp-wolf outdoor).

The demonstrators showed posters that bear a human -friendly message: "Animal welfare also applies to the wolf" and "Stop the wolf killings". VGT-OBSPERSON GDR. Martin Balluch informed about the successful herd protection projects in the region. These projects rely on herd protection dogs and night horse and were rated positively by alpine pastors. Balluch pointed out that herd protection dogs are not a threat to people and the development of intact ecosystems in which the wolf plays a natural role should be promoted.

problem around the pasture animals

The shooting of wolves is justified by authorities and agricultural lobby with supposed dangers for pasture animals. However, there is no proven case in Carinthia in which a wolf was responsible for the crash of a grazing animal, such as wolfschutz-deutschland.de. Statistics show that around 200 to 300 pasture animals in Carinthia lose annually for various reasons, such as bad weather or rough terrain, without wolves being responsible.

critics emphasize that the assignment of blame for the wolf represents a distraction of real problems, such as inadequate herd protection and the absence of shepherds. In addition, the shooting of a male could have a negative impact on the entire wolf population, especially on pregnant wolves and their puppies. The wolf plays a key role in the regulation of game stocks and contributes to the preservation of ecological balance. There are currently around 104 proven wolves in Austria, a number that should not be ignored.

legal framework and further follow

Smaller animal welfare associations in Carinthia have announced criminal charges against the kills for cruelty to animals. The WWF criticized the Carinthian wolf regulation as illegal, but specific complaints have often failed due to formal hurdles. Complaints of the WWF against various withdrawal sheaths were rejected in 2023. With flat -rate shooting permits and the lack of legal protection, the Carinthian Wolf Ordinance makes environmentalists complicit to legally against the kills.

The return of the wolf to Austria is viewed by many as an opportunity for a harmonious living together between people and nature. In this context, the appeal of Wolfschutz-Deutschland e. V. to establish professional herd protection to those responsible in Carinthia (such as electrical fences and herd protection dogs) and to ensure legal protection for exceptions for species protection law.