Ticino imposes three-year chamois hunting ban amid wildlife concerns
A three-year ban on chamois hunting has been introduced in the Gambarogno-Tamaro-Lema region of Ticino. The decision follows years of warnings from animal welfare groups about declining wildlife numbers. Critics also claim that unregulated hunting has disrupted the area's natural balance for far too long.
The Cantonal Council imposed the moratorium after concerns grew over the impact of amateur hunting. Data from Ticino's Hunting and Fishing Office showed that, before the ban, chamois numbers in the region had actually risen by 20–30% between 2018 and 2020. This was higher than the canton-wide average growth of 10–15%, suggesting the population was recovering better here than elsewhere.
The office has monitored chamois populations since at least 2004, conducting regular counts along 12 fixed routes. Despite this, reports of gunfire outside legal hunting seasons have persisted. Tourists visiting the area often described encounters with hunters in military-style clothing rather than the wildlife they had hoped to see. Animal welfare advocates have long argued that chamois and other species do not need annual mass culling by hobby hunters. They point out that the chamois, in particular, is treated as a prized trophy in Ticino. The suspension of hunting now gives scientists and conservationists a chance to assess whether the ban will lead to a more stable and sustainable population.
The moratorium runs until 2023, giving wildlife in the region a temporary reprieve. Official surveys will continue tracking chamois numbers during this period. The results could influence future hunting regulations across Ticino.
