Volunteers flock to Swiss mountains for new sheep and wolf protection scheme

Aliki Buhayer-Mach uses a powerful torch to light up an area in the Pontimius pasture in the Swiss Alps. Photo: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP

Hundreds of volunteers gathered in the Swiss mountains to protect sheep from wolves in a unique scheme also aimed at preventing farmers from attacking predators out of revenge.

Around 400 volunteers have joined a new initiative that keeps watch over high mountain pastures at night, giving weary shepherds a chance to rest.

When wolves get too close to sheep, as they often do, volunteers must drive them away with cries, whistles and torchlight.

“You must look often, and you must look well, because the wolf can see us in the darkness and knows when to try his luck. And when it moves, it moves very fast,” volunteer Aliki Buhayer-Mach told Agence France-Presse.

The 57-year-old biologist and her husband, François Mach-Buhayer, 60, a leading Swiss cardiologist, spend consecutive nights observing some 480 sheep grazing in the remote mountains near the Swiss border with Italy.

One night they drove the wolves away three times in just a few hours.

«It takes two people,» Francois said. «One follows the wolf through binoculars, while the other runs at the beast with a torch… and a whistle.»

Using infrared binoculars, they watch a makeshift camp consisting of a tarp, camping chairs, and a gas stove used to make coffee that keeps them awake.

To get to their post, they must climb for two. hours of climbing a steep mountain path to a height of 2200 meters.

The goal is not only to save the lives of sheep, goats and cattle, but also to ensure that wolves do not become a target of retribution for farmers. outraged by the attacks on their livestock.

'The goal is to keep both livestock and wolves alive'

The program is organized by the Organization for the Protection of Alpine Pastures or Oppal, a Swiss non-governmental organization that wants to ensure that the growing wolf population in the region does not threaten the centuries-old tradition of pastoralism in the Alps.

“ Our goal is that by the end of the summer livestock were still alive… and so were the wolves,” said Jeremy Moulin, director.

He co-founded the organization three years ago, hoping to help farmers learn to coexist with predators, not exterminate them.

Night-watching herds require hardy people who are willing to ignore the historically fearsome reputation of wolves.

«Volunteers must be in good physical shape, withstand various weather conditions (heat/cold, rain, storm, snow), get used to basic living conditions and feel comfortable in bivouacs,» the Oppal website says.

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Participants must also “keep an open mind about the issue of wolves and grazing in Switzerland.”

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While waiting for the arrival of the wolves, you can observe a variety of other wildlife, from foxes and badgers to roe deer and wild boars.

Growing population

Once extinct in this area, like in most others in Western Europe in In recent years, wolves have begun to return to the alpine meadows and rocky ridges of the Swiss Alps.

The first pack was seen ten years ago. Since then, their population in the region has increased to about 250 individuals.

Last year alone, wolves killed almost 1,500 domestic animals in Switzerland, and many landowners urged them to be shot.

Swiss responded the authorities have authorized the slaughter of 24 wolves.

Mr. Moulin said that the volunteers have to drive off the wolves about once every 20 nights.

Their constant supervision is highly appreciated by the farmers.

< p>“This is such a big help,” said Mathis von Siebenthal, a shepherd who entrusted his flock to Aliki and François. “If (they) were not here, I would always … think whether the wolf is coming or not. I can go to bed like this.”