A wolf has been seen for the first time, in the Chamonix Valley, since their migration to France in 1992; from Italy to Les Alps Maritimes. The Wolf is a species protected by the Berne Convention for the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats. As a result the population has steadily increased and spread toward north.
This sighting was made by a tracker, of a lone wolf, close to Le Pendant chair-lift, above Le Lavancher in the Grands Montets ski domain. The incident is both isolated and un-expected. The National Office of Hunting & Wildlife has made no prediction that wolves are expected to repopulate the Chamonix Valley and official confirmation of the sighting is pending.
The tracker's sighting is supported by animal carcasses found in the woods above Argentiere, some 4 km from the sighting in the Le Lavancher bowl. Analysis of the carcasses and any droppings in the vicinity may confirm the sighting and give an indication of numbers. The Lone Wolf is unusual. It is more common for wolves to live and migrate in packs.
In France, the wolf populations may be controlled by officially sanctioned culls, hunting of the animals is prohibited and farmers are compensated for any damage to livestock.
Source Radio Mont Blanc
