Scaring and shooting

Number of kills has fallen

Beautiful to look at, but dangerous on mountain pastures and farms: wolves.(Bild: Manuel Schwaiger)

Wolves have been allowed to be hunted in Carinthia since 2022 - a review of shooting permits and animal kills

The first so-called "problem wolf" was shot in Carinthia in 2022 - legally on the basis of the recently issued wolf ordinance. This was triggered by the high number of animal kills - 400 dead farm animals and a further 450 that were considered missing after wolf attacks. Just one year later, hunters shot seven more wolves, bringing the total number of animals taken to 13. A total of 47 permits to shoot wolves were issued.

Hundreds of animals have already been killed by wolves.(Bild: Krone KREATIV I Quelle: Büro Martin Gruber I Foto: stock.adobe.com)

Although a dozen sheep recently fell victim to the predator in Stall in Mölltal, the wolf ordinance, which is not without controversy, especially among animal rights activists, seems to be having an effect. Since the ordinance came into force, significantly fewer kills have been reported. This year there have been 33 so far, and six farm animals have been injured by the predator. "The Alpine pasture season is not yet over and damage can be reported on an ongoing basis. We won't have the final figures until October," according to the office of Deputy Governor Martin Gruber.

In Carinthia, we are sticking to our current practice in dealing with wolves as predators. This method has proven itself and is legally secure.

Martin Gruber, Landesvize (ÖVP)

The district of Spittal is a particular hotspot. The fact that the predator feels at home in Carinthia is also shown by the record of deterrents - around 500 times a wolf had to be chased away from a settlement area by shouting. Gruber is not afraid of legal consequences: "There is no indication of any infringement proceedings, nor do I see any basis for them."