Authorities in the Canton of Bern have issued an order to cull a lynx, identified as B903, due to its unusual pattern of attacking livestock. The decision has become controversial because the animal had not reached the official kill threshold required for such action, and some of the targeted sheep belonged to a prominent national politician.
Key Takeaways
- A lynx named B903 has been approved for culling in the Bernese Oberland for repeatedly attacking farm animals.
- The decision was made under an exception clause, as the lynx had not killed the 12 animals typically required for a removal order.
- The case has drawn scrutiny due to the involvement of high-profile SVP politicians, including the owner of some of the targeted sheep.
- Conservation groups have criticized the move, calling it a "dangerous precedent" for wildlife management in Switzerland.
Culling Order Issued for Lynx B903
A male lynx known as B903, which roams the Bernese Oberland, is set to be shot by a game warden following a public notice in the Bernese Official Gazette. The cantonal authorities, in consultation with the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), approved the culling based on the lynx's repeated attacks on livestock.
This decision is unusual because B903 has not killed the 12 farm animals that the national "Lynx Concept" policy typically requires before a protected predator can be culled. Officials have justified the move by citing an exception rule, arguing that the lynx has abnormally specialized in hunting domestic animals instead of its natural prey.
Understanding the 'Lynx Concept'
Switzerland's national strategy for managing its lynx population outlines specific conditions under which a protected animal can be removed. A key threshold is the killing of 12 livestock animals by a single lynx within a defined period. However, the policy includes exceptions for individuals that show a clear and persistent specialization in hunting livestock, even if the threshold isn't met, to prevent further damages.
Political Connections Under Scrutiny
The controversy surrounding the decision is amplified by the political context. In mid-August, B903 attacked and killed several sheep on the Ueschenen Alp. The owner of these animals was confirmed to be Ernst Wandfluh, a National Councillor for the Swiss People's Party (SVP).
Wandfluh acknowledged that he, as the affected sheep owner, had discussions with the hunting inspectorate and advocated for a culling permit. He stated that these conversations were constructive and within standard procedures for farmers experiencing predator attacks.
Further attention has been drawn to other political figures from the region. The head of the federal department overseeing the FOEN is Federal Councillor Albert Rösti, also of the SVP, who grew up in a neighboring village to Wandfluh. Additionally, National Councillor Thomas Knutti (SVP), a vocal critic of large predators, had been publicly calling for the lynx's removal for months.
Denials of Improper Influence
Despite the connections, all parties involved have denied that political pressure influenced the outcome. Wandfluh stated he did not discuss the matter with Federal Councillor Rösti before the permit was issued. He emphasized that the decision was made by technical experts at the cantonal and federal levels based on the animal's behavior.
"Albert Rösti has nothing to do with it," Wandfluh said, asserting that the process followed legal guidelines.
Authorities also maintain that the decision was based solely on evidence that B903 had developed an atypical preference for livestock. The official responsible at the cantonal level, Bernese Cantonal Councillor Christoph Ammann, is a member of the Social Democratic Party (SP), not the SVP.
Timeline of B903's Activities
- 2022: First identified and began to be monitored by the Kora Foundation.
- December 2022: A photo trap in Reichenbach confirmed the lynx was a male.
- Summer 2024: B903 attacked a flock on Alp Tschingel, killing at least eight sheep in one week.
- August 2024: Attacked sheep belonging to National Councillor Ernst Wandfluh on Ueschenen Alp.
- September 2024: Killed two goats in a separate incident, leading to the culling approval.
An Exceptional Case of Predator Behavior
Lynx B903 was first documented by the Kora Foundation, an organization that monitors wildlife in Switzerland, in 2022. For two years, it behaved as expected, hunting wild prey like roe deer and chamois in the Kandertal area. However, its behavior changed dramatically in the summer of 2024.
The shift began with multiple attacks on a sheep herd on Alp Tschingel, where it killed at least eight animals. At that time, authorities determined the number of kills was insufficient for a culling permit. After a quiet period, the attacks resumed on Ueschenen Alp, followed by the killing of two goats in September. This pattern convinced officials that the lynx had become a specialized livestock predator.
Conservation Groups Raise Concerns
The decision to bypass the standard threshold has been sharply criticized by some wildlife advocacy organizations. The group Wolf Switzerland issued a statement calling the move highly problematic.
"To approve a lynx for culling without it having reached the threshold for significant damage according to the federal lynx concept is very critical," the organization wrote. They warned that "the Canton of Bern is creating a dangerous precedent."
Historical Context of Lynx-Human Conflict
According to experts, the behavior exhibited by B903 is rare but not unheard of. Nina Gerber, director of the Kora Foundation, noted that there have been only 14 comparable cases in Switzerland over the past 28 years.
"Lynx usually hunt wild animals, preferably roe deer or chamois," Gerber explained. This natural predation plays a vital role in regulating herbivore populations, which in turn helps protect young trees and sensitive alpine plants from overgrazing.
The most significant period of conflict between lynx and farmers in Switzerland occurred in the 1990s. In 1999 alone, over 200 livestock attacks were recorded. This spike was attributed to a growing lynx population at a time when roe deer numbers were declining, forcing the predators to seek alternative food sources.
Lynx Predation in Switzerland
According to the latest annual figures, 112 livestock animals were killed by lynx across Switzerland. Of these, 40 were in the Alps and 72 were in the Jura region. Despite the current controversy, experts do not anticipate a significant increase in overall conflicts with livestock holders.
Recent similar cases have occurred elsewhere. In the canton of Schwyz, a lynx was approved for culling last year after it was believed to be feeding primarily on sheep. Another incident was reported in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, where a lynx killed eight farm animals. Despite these isolated events, both cantonal authorities and wildlife experts believe the situation with B903 is an anomaly and not indicative of a wider trend.