WWF Barometer: Austrian States Fail on Species Protection for Beaver, Wolf, and Otter

Methodology and Overall Grade

Particularly harsh is the verdict on killing ordinances. Since 2020 alone, more than 1,200 beavers, otters, and wolves have been killed on the basis of ordinances that, from the WWF's perspective, violate EU nature conservation law. "Protected wild animals in Austria end up on the shooting list far too quickly, while there are major gaps in monitoring, prevention, and conflict management. That is why the overall report card for the federal states is negative," explained WWF expert Sarah Layendecker.

Criticism of Killing Ordinances

Carinthia fares worst. There, 13 wolves were shot last year; one ordinance permits the "removal" of 155 beavers and 55 otters. For otters, potentially cruel Conibear traps are also permitted, according to the WWF. "These body-grip traps are prohibited under European law and banned in other countries," the report states.

Carinthia Receives the Worst Rating

The WWF also assesses the situation critically in Salzburg: ordinances permit killings of all three species. The report particularly objects to wolf shootings without cause and unlimited otter removals in certain sections of watercourses. In Lower Austria, killing ordinances exist for beaver, otter, and wolf; at the same time, the WWF sees open questions regarding wolf monitoring and a lack of compensation for beaver damage. Upper Austria, despite available prevention funding, relies on removal and shooting ordinances for the same species. In Styria, the WWF identifies progress in monitoring but sees setbacks from the end of livestock protection measures as well as existing or planned removal ordinances for beaver and otter.

Federal States Compared

Burgenland, Vienna, Vorarlberg, and Tyrol are rated more favorably. Vienna, according to the report, considers beaver and otter to be welcome wildlife and relies on low-conflict coexistence rather than removals. Vorarlberg has improved monitoring for several species and stands out for the beaver with current mapping and cross-border exchange, but shows deficits in handling wolf and lynx. Tyrol, according to the WWF, provides transparent information on large carnivores and subsidizes fencing; at the same time, extensive wolf shootings, a lack of compensation payments for beaver damage, and gaps in lynx management are criticized. Burgenland relies on subsidies, advisory services, and public outreach, but lacks compensation payments and binding management plans.

White-Tailed Eagle as a Positive Exception

The verdict is positive for one species: "Only the management of the white-tailed eagle is once again rated as good in the federal states where it occurs," the report states. Specifically, the WWF highlights the white-tailed eagle management in Lower Austria, Upper Austria, Styria, and Burgenland. This positive individual grade, however, cannot obscure the overall result: not a single federal state achieves a good overall grade in the management of beaver, otter, lynx, and wolf — a situation that, according to the WWF, has remained unchanged since the barometer was launched six years ago.

Call for a National Strategy

Layendecker emphasized that effective species protection is possible when monitoring, protective measures, and cooperation between authorities, science, and conservation work. "The differences between the federal states in particular show why there is an urgent need for a nationally coordinated strategy that respects EU nature conservation law," said the WWF expert. The WWF also criticizes the fact that wildlife management is often planned and implemented in isolation, even though wild animals do not recognize national borders.

The growing number of killing authorizations for beaver, otter, and wolf is regarded by the WWF as a central problem. The organization calls for a nationally coordinated strategy that complies with EU law, as well as more consistent prevention, comprehensive monitoring, and binding management plans. The WWF sees models in the management of the white-tailed eagle and in countries that have long banned Conibear traps.