Parliamentarians crack down on wolves

Lawmakers in canton Uri have passed a parliamentary recommendation calling for stricter measures to cope with wolves.  The recommendation, put forward by members of the conservative right Swiss People’s Party, passed in the cantonal parliament with 41 votes in favour, 16 against, and three abstentions on Wednesday. The goal of the recommendation is to reduce damage caused by wolves, with “wolf-free zones”, for example.  Those opposed to the recommendation argued that “wolf-free” was a bad label for a canton dependent on tourism. “Do we want to build a wall?” asked leftwing Social Democratic parliamentarian Toni Moser, pointing out that a wolf-free zone was unrealistic and hardly feasible.  It is not clear how the Uri government will implement the recommendation. Uri Security Director Dimitri Moretti said the cantonal authorities were committed to improved herd protection and an adapted wolf concept. He also called for more federal funding to cover not only the value ...