The wild animals in Grisons are well prepared for the upcoming winter. They can adapt well to the cold and the scarce supply of food if they are not disturbed by humans. Well-intentioned relief measures such as feeding do more harm to animals than good. The feeding ban therefore makes sense and continues to apply.
Six associations and five cantonal authorities are working together to sensitize the population of Graubünden to the needs of wild animals. “The Grisons Green Table” calls on the population to respect the cantonal winter feeding ban and to refrain as far as possible from disturbing animals in their winter habitats. This allows the game to hibernate according to its natural survival strategies.
The feeding ban, which came into force for the first time and was discussed controversial last winter, made sense, said Anita Mazzetta, managing director of WWF Grisons, to the media in Almens (Domleschg) on Wednesday.
“Wild animals need peace and quiet above all,” she summarized. “Disturbances in winter habitats and attracting them due to green waste, feeding sites or food from agriculture drive hundreds of animals near traffic routes every year, where they become victims of accidents.”
Hansruedi Andreoli, head of the Grisons Cantonal Patent Hunters Association BKPJV, underlined the importance of wild rest areas for red deer. “Deer and deer change their digestion in winter, lower metabolism, pulse and body temperature and thus make do with very little food. However, this only works if they can spread throughout their habitats and are consistently left alone. The wild rest areas are essential for the survival of the animals.”
Information before buses
When implementing the winter feeding ban, the canton is focusing first on education and practical help, explained Adrian Arquint, head of the Office of Hunting and Fishing. “Where we see food offerings, we talk to people and explain to them the reasons for the feeding ban.” However, anyone who deliberately continues to feed wild animals afterwards must reckon with measures that could go as far as buses, underlined Arquint. “From a wildlife biological point of view, the ban is the only sensible course of action.”
The cantonal feeding ban was harshly criticized in some cases last, harsh winter. “We understand that people want to help animals,” said Arquint. “But feeding is no help on a large scale when there is a lot of snow and severe cold.”
Should the coming winter get tough again, the canton can approve selective feedings. “These feedings may only be carried out by specialists. They serve the sole purpose of keeping the animals in their habitats, because that is where they can best survive with minimal energy consumption.”
Municipalities and agriculture challenged
After many farms have already been made “wildlife-proof”, the “Green Table” campaign is now targeting municipalities and operators of green waste collection points. “Green waste is attractive food for wild animals,” explained Thomas Bitter, head of the construction department of the municipality of Domleschg. “The collection points must therefore be closed off by high fences.”
Garden waste and compost heaps from private individuals must also be covered so that deer and deer do not use them as food. Agricultural businesses are particularly challenged when implementing the ban.
“Our farmers have already made a lot of effort so that wild animals do not come to the farms to get the feed for the farm animals,” says Martin Renner, managing director of the Grisons Farmers' Association. The ban on game feeding is not just the task of agriculture, but also a joint task for municipalities, hunters and private individuals.
Christian Gartmann supports the “Grisons Green Table” in communication and media work.