Note May: Invitation to the Vorarlberg Museum debate: In the shadow of the wolf and the Alpine economy - a cultural science talk

Invitation to the debate: In the Shadow of the Wolf and the Alpine Economy - A Cultural Science Talk at the Vorarlberg Museum Bregenz

Date: 27 May | 19:00
Location: Vorarlberg Museum, Bregenz
Access: Admission is free - without registration

To the pdf folder Vorarlbergmuseum

The Return of the wolf to the Alpine regions has an intensive and complex debate about the protection of this predator and the future of traditional alpine farming. Should the wolf be protected, or does it actually pose an existential threat to alpine farming?

Our research on the internet and in social networks has shown that the wolf is often depicted as a "brutal killing machine". This is presumably a targeted attempt to manipulate public opinion in order to trigger certain emotions in many people.

But perhaps it is always better to seek the truth and develop solutions together.

The cultural scientist Bernhard Tschofen, Professor of European Ethnology at the University of Zurich, identifies several often overlooked aspects of this discussion:

• Missing shepherds: An effective Herd protection strategy requires the presence of shepherds on the mountain pastures. However, the lack of staff in this area poses a considerable challenge.
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• Livestock not suitable for the Alps: Many of today's cattle breeds are unsuitable for extensive grazing. They require additional feeding and are not designed for this habitat.
• Hunting laws and political instrumentalisation: How do they influence existing hunting lawsDo farmers who treat game as trophy game have a clear view of the current situation? Are farmers' concerns being used for political purposes?
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Advice programmes and information from Swiss television as preparation

Very interesting video on the subject of livestock guarding dogs and wolf removal

The Wolf - Current reviews and discussions based on our research on the topic

The discussion about the wolf is characterised by different points of view and emotions. In Lower Saxony, the new "Wolf Directive" was recently introduced, which brings improvements but has also been criticised. One criticism is that it still only provides one-off funding for herd protection measures, which is not sufficient in the long term.

Sheep breeders live in Switzerland, especially in the Valais, in constant fear of wolf attacks. Despite the preventive shooting of wolves, many fear for their livelihoods and see traditional alpine farming under threat.
SRF.CH

At the same time emphasise Nature conservation organisations emphasise the importance of the wolf for the ecosystem and warn against weakening its protected status. The WWF, for example, criticises EU plans to reduce the wolf's protected status as a "populist attack on species protection" and calls for a well-planned herd protection campaign instead.

The wolf - perspectives of different interest groups | a few examples to think about

• Farmers: Many farmers see their livelihoods threatened by the increasing presence of wolves. They are reporting increasing numbers of wolf kills and the enormous expense of herd protection measures. Some are therefore calling for a relaxation of shooting regulations in order to better protect their herds.
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• Hunters and huntresses: The hunting community is in a dilemma. On the one hand, they recognise the role of the wolf in the ecosystem; on the other, they see the need to regulate game populations and minimise damage. There are discussions about including the wolf in hunting legislation to enable controlled management.
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• Tourists: Tourism is an important economic sector in the Alps. Hikers and holidaymakers appreciate the open cultural landscape and encounters with grazing animals. However, there are concerns that an increased presence of wolves could lead to safety risks, especially when livestock guarding dogs are used, which can be suspicious of strangers.

Possible discussion questions & considerations and approaches from our point of view

• Integration of herd protection measures: What proven herd protection methods are there and how can they be effectively implemented in alpine farming? What role do shepherds and livestock guarding dogs play in this?
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• Adaptation of livestock farming: To what extent should breeding programmes be adapted to promote more robust breeds that are better able to cope with the challenges posed by predators?
• Political framework conditions: How can hunting laws and support programmes be designed in such a way that they take into account both the protection of wolves and the interests of alpine farming? Are the concerns of farmers adequately represented in the political debate, or is there a risk of instrumentalisation?
  SRF.CH  and LKV
• Historical perspectives and other countries: What lessons can be learnt from the history of Coexistence of humans and wolves be drawn? Are there traditional practices that could be relevant again today?
• Ecological effects: How does the presence of wolves affect biodiversity in the Alps? Are there positive effects on the ecosystem that have so far received too little attention in the debate?
• Social acceptance: How can a dialogue between different interest groups be promoted in order to reach a common solution? What role do the media and public perception play in this?

Note: Invitation to dialogue

Museum director Michael Kasper invites Bernhard Tschofen to discuss these questions with the audience.

The event offers a perhaps profound cultural-scientific insight into a topic that affects not only farmers, conservationists and politicians, but society as a whole.

Join in and contribute your perspective to the discussion!