Impacts of Lethal Management (2025–2029)

The return of the wolf to Switzerland poses a major challenge for the coexistence of  this species and human activities in multi-use landscapes. Damage to livestock in particular leads to conflicts and raises challenges for society, agriculture, and nature conservation alike. To enable a long-term coexistence with wolves in countries like Switzerland, management measures aimed at reducing conflicts are essential. 

It is essential to better understand the effects of the different management measures, whether lethal or non-lethal, to identify those that are best suited depending on the context and the objectives pursued. Considering the current situation and the legislation in Switzerland, which allows reactive (after an incident) and, since 2023, proactive (preventive) culling of wolves, it is necessary to study the impact of different measures on the development of livestock depredations, the wolf population, and social acceptance in more detail.

Objectives

Scientific monitoring of the current situation and the assessment of impacts provide a basis for future management decisions and thereby contribute to adaptive management.

Project Components and Methods

• Compilation of a literature review of international studies on the effects of lethal management and communication of the most important findings
• Development of an integrated population model to estimate the size of the wolf population in Switzerland over time
• Study of pack dynamics and structure, with particular attention to the effects of lethal management
• Development of an individual-based model to assess the effects of different management scenarios on the dynamics of the wolf population in Switzerland
• Investigation of the short- and medium-term effects of lethal management on livestock depredations
• Study of changes in attitudes of the Swiss population towards wolves  (2015/2023/2028)