Wolf approved for shooting: 13 dead sheep in East Tyrol

According to the state, based on the kill pattern there was suspicion of the involvement of a wolf as the cause. The state stated: "Aufgrund des Rissbildes bestand der Verdacht auf die Beteiligung eines Wolfes als Verursacher". The results of the genetic tests on three dead sheep, which had already been taken on 20 June, are still pending. By the end of June 2026, more than 50 animals were considered missing.

Background of the kills in Obertilliach

The shooting ordinance was announced on Thursday and took effect upon announcement. It is valid up to and including the 2nd – the exact deadline is not fully clear from the available information. The ordinance enables the shooting of a specific problem wolf in the affected alpine pasture area, provided it is identified beyond doubt.

The backstory goes back to early summer: farmers and alpine pasture supervisors had reported recurring kills in the sheep herds. The authorities responded with two official assessments by the official veterinary officer, with the damage being classified as suspected wolf involvement. Only then was the shooting order initiated.

Conflict between pastoral farming and wolves

The case reflects the conflict that has been smouldering for years between livestock farming and the return of large predators to the Alpine region. In the district of Lienz, there have been repeated kills in the past attributed to wolf packs or individual wolves. Protective measures such as livestock guardian dogs and electric fences are only partially used in East Tyrol.

From the state's perspective, the animal in question is a so-called problem wolf – an individual that repeatedly kills livestock. The ordinance targets only this animal and not the species as a whole. Should the genetic analysis confirm the suspicion of a wolf, the shooting will be prepared without delay.

Reactions and further course of action

Animal welfare organizations regularly criticize shooting ordinances of this kind as ineffective and instead call for consistent herd protection. The Tyrol Chamber of Agriculture, on the other hand, takes the view that livestock farmers should no longer bear the consequences of inadequate protective measures and that intervention is necessary in acute cases.

The authorities announced that they would provide information on the further course of action once the genetic results are available. Until then, the shooting ordinance remains formally in force, but its implementation depends on the outcome of the pending DNA analyses. According to the State of Tyrol, the number of missing animals could also still change as a result of further search operations.