South Tyrol authorizes third wolf cull of 2026

The Autonomous Province of Bolzano has authorized the culling of a wolf in the South Tyrolean municipalities of Ulten and Kastelbell-Tschars. This marks the third sanctioned wolf removal in the region for 2026.

The decision follows reports of livestock predation between June 15 and September 8, during which 22 sheep and four goats were killed or went missing across five alpine pastures. Governor Arno Kompatscher signed the decree to address these losses.

Environmental organizations and animal rights groups, including WWF Italia and Io non ho paura del lupo APS, have strongly criticized the move. They filed an urgent application with the administrative court in Bolzano to block the cull. Critics argue that the province is failing to implement necessary preventative measures, such as electric fencing, night enclosures, or livestock guarding dogs, and claim that culling is an ineffective and populist response to the issue.