First Wolf Shooting in Lower Austria

After a wolf again approached the same herd and threatened it, the animal was killed by a hunter on Wednesday. The compliance of the shooting with regulations was emphasized. An inspection by state experts was also carried out immediately.

The attacked livestock herd had been secured with a higher fence than provided for in the wolf regulation. Additionally, an underground protection was installed. After an initial attack, the subsequently shot wolf again approached the herd within 100 meters.

The shooting was carried out in accordance with the relevant regulation and reported to the state within the prescribed period. "The Lower Austrian wolf regulation serves to protect people and livestock and pets from wolf attacks. If problem wolves approach settlements or threaten and kill livestock secured by herd protection measures, wolves may be deterred and removed," stated Deputy Governor Stephan Pernkopf (ÖVP).

New wolf regulation in effect since 2023

The so-called new wolf regulation has been in effect in Lower Austria since April 2023. A prior official order for deterrence or shooting is no longer required. Instead, behaviors of the predator that can have corresponding consequences have been defined. In the case of deterrence by hunters in the form of warning or scare shots, it is "undesirable behavior," and in the case of shootings, it is "problematic behavior" of the wolf. Every measure must be reported to the responsible district authority.

Also against the backdrop of rising numbers of livestock attacks - there have been 48 cases in Lower Austria so far in 2025 - adaptations were made to the wolf regulation at the end of last year. New since then is the specific offense now applied for the protection of livestock. If within four weeks after an attack on properly protected livestock there is a danger or an immediate threat to the lives of further specimens, a shooting is possible upon the reappearance of the wolf.

On Friday, Johannes Schmuckenschlager, President of the Chamber of Agriculture of Lower Austria and ÖVP National Council member, spoke out: "The protection of the population and agricultural businesses takes precedence." The Waldviertel is one of the main damage areas of the wolf, with the animals increasingly approaching villages, farms, and settlement areas. This behavior "cannot be tolerated," and the wolf regulation takes this into account. Meanwhile, FPÖ state parliament member Alexander Schnabel demanded a further reduction in the protection status for the wolf.

(APA/Red)

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