Bavaria expands preventive wolf culling in Alpine grazing areas

New hunting regulations in Bavaria have enabled the preventive culling of wolves across approximately 75 percent of mountain farming areas in the Alpine region. Under the amended hunting laws, authorities can designate grazing areas where wolves may be shot to prevent serious damage to livestock, even without a recent kill or direct proof of a wolf's presence. This measure applies when protective fencing is deemed impractical due to terrain or natural conditions.

In response to the wolf population expansion, agricultural organizations and groups such as 'Save the Alps' have organized protests, including a memorial bonfire in Oberaudorf. Farmers and local representatives are calling for wolf regulation to ensure that traditional grazing practices remain viable, citing the inadequacy of current herd management strategies.