Capricorn colony: Looking for fresh blood for the Benediktenwand

Created: 03/03/2022 06:19

By: Dominik Goettler

Living landmark: An ibex on the Benediktenwand in the district of Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen.

Hunters now want to strengthen the isolated colony there with animals from Switzerland.

© JOSEF HARTL

After the vultures comes the ibex?

The hunting association wants to release Swiss ibex on the Benediktenwand - to solve the inbreeding problem of the isolated colony.

But time is running out until the hoped-for release date.

Bad Tölz - For the Benediktenwand they have long since become a kind of living landmark.

"Although it is not marketed, the ibex colony is highly valued by us," says Franz Steger, head of the environmental department at the Tölz district office.

For him, the mountain trail from Brauneck via the armpit heads to the famous "Bene-Wand" is one of the most beautiful hikes in the region.

And with a bit of luck, you can also see an ibex there.

Around 100 ibex cavort on the Benediktenwand.

The population originated from an immigrant Tyrolean loner, called "the old one", and other animals that had been released there since the 1960s.

But it is a closed society, there is no exchange with other populations.

The genetic diversity of the ibex on the Benediktenwand suffers as a result, as studies by the University of Zurich have confirmed.

Therefore, committed hunters on site now want to organize reinforcements.

The approval of the Ministry of Agriculture is still pending

Last spring, the Bavarian Hunting Association announced its intention to release ten animals from Switzerland on the Benediktenwand.

The hunters want to bear the costs of around 100,000 euros.

Since then the preparations have been going on.

"There are many details that arise there," reports Steger from the district office.

"Everything has to be clarified, from the choice of ear tags to the veterinary examinations." The permits from Switzerland for catching, tagging and transporting the animals from Valais are now available.

"The export license is still missing." Ten animals are planned, mostly female, so that the next generation can quickly grow up with the new genetic material.

On the Bavarian side, the Ministry of Agriculture, as the supreme hunting authority, still has to approve the plans.

According to the ministry,

the application documents are still being finalized, so it is not possible to comment at this time.

"For example, there is the question of what consequences a reintroduction would have on the vegetation and the forest on the Benediktenwand," says Steger.

Target release date: late April or early May

The Bund Naturschutz (BN) observes the plans with mixed feelings.

"Of course, we always want viable populations," says BN forest officer Ralf Straußberger.

"But such a release requires careful consideration: Is the habitat large enough to carry out such a blood refreshment in a meaningful way?

And what happens when there are too many animals?

Do you shoot then?”

This has happened occasionally in the past.

If the population grew strongly, individual shooting permits were issued for the species, which was protected all year round.

However, Franz Steger is convinced that the goal of increasing genetic diversity is a valid justification for the reintroduction.

"There would be an outcry in the region if malformed animals suddenly grew up or the population dwindled."

Steger looks at the period from the end of April to the beginning of May for the release.

"It's going to be sporty.

But we hope that we can get there.” The Bavarian Hunting Association only says briefly and concisely: “Preparations are underway and the funds have been made available.” But the measure must be handled properly.