Amid increasing concerns over the growing number of wolf attacks on livestock in Switzerland, farmers voiced their frustration by dumping the carcasses of sheep killed by wolves in front of a regional government building.

Around a dozen sheep breeders from the Saint-Barthélemy area gathered at Lausanne’s Chateau Saint-Maire, the regional government headquarters, to lay down 12 carcasses in a striking display.

A member of a Swiss association, Eric Herb, advocated for the regulation of big predators, highlighting the urgency of the situation, stating: “These sheep were killed last night. It is really time to act.”

The protesters aimed to ramp up pressure on the Vaud government environment minister, Vassilis Venizelos, urging decisive measures against the rising threat of wolves.

Voicing their frustration, farmer and butcher, Patrick Perroud expressed the emotion shared by many: “We are sick of this. We want the wolf killed.”

The farmers underlined the impossibility of cohabitation due to the limited terrain and the detrimental impact on their livelihoods.

Supported by the regional chapter of the populist right-wing Swiss People’s Party, the protest highlighted the severity of the issue, with farmers experiencing significant losses.

While wolves have made a comeback in Switzerland and other European countries in recent decades, conflicts between farmers and conservation efforts have intensified.

Despite the relaxation of hunting rules and preventive culls by Swiss authorities, legal challenges have stalled efforts to manage wolf populations effectively.

The debate between protecting livestock and preserving the wolf population continues to divide stakeholders, with no easy solutions in sight.

As concerns rise over the spread of hybrid wolfdogs in Europe, experts warn of the challenges in managing these populations effectively.