Bear and Lynx in the Totes Gebirge
Bears and lynxes occasionally pass through the Totes Gebirge mountain range. Their presence is most often confirmed through documented kills or visible tracks. In 2008, bear "Moritz" left a clear sign of his presence by killing 12 red deer within a winter enclosure — an event made possible by deep snow conditions. Such isolated incidents rarely lead to problems.

The situation is different with wolves. Their high learning capacity, society’s often romanticized perception of them, and their growing awareness that humans pose no threat present increasing challenges — especially for alpine farmers.

Abandoning alpine pastures would result in the loss of open landscapes, and with them, a significant decline in biodiversity. The recommendation to install electric fencing to keep out wolves could have devastating consequences for many other species: red deer, roe deer, and chamois would no longer be able to use these areas for grazing.

A Swiss shepherd once reported how wild animals that become entangled in such fences at night are essentially "grilled alive." The next morning, she would find them still alive but with severe burns — a deeply disturbing reality.