Criticism from animal rights activists:

Vorarlberg Provincial Councillor Gantner fires back

Wolf or problem wolf?(Bild: Jiri Bohdal)

Provincial councillor Christian Gantner (ÖVP) reacts unusually sharply to criticism of the new Vorarlberg wolf ordinance from an animal welfare organization. He rejects the accusations and in return accuses the organization of being unworldly.  

Provincial Councillor Christian Gantner (ÖVP) shows no understanding for the criticism from "Tierschutz Austria" regarding the new Vorarlberg wolf ordinance. The ordinance is a "clear violation of the Fauna-Flora Habitat Directive".

Gantner does not take this lying down and finds remarkably clear words: "It shows once again that the so-called 'environmental organizations', which sit in comfortably air-conditioned office buildings in Vienna, have no idea of the reality of life in Vorarlberg, nor do they know the relevant expert opinions and case law," he told the Viennese animal protection association, "which has been calling itself 'Tierschutz Austria' for a few years in search of supra-regional relevance."

Gantner also refers to the European Commission, which has itself proposed that wolves should no longer be strictly protected. This proposal is no coincidence: wolf populations are growing and the animals have no natural enemies. In his response to the criticism from animal rights activists, Gantner also explained that the targeted shooting of problem wolves is in line with EU regulations.