Politics · Switzerland · 23 hrs ago
Uznach backs away from plan to halve its stork population
Uznach, a town in Switzerland’s canton of St Gallen, is home to one of the country’s largest stork populations.
Around 50 pairs nested there this spring, and almost all of more than 100 young birds survived.
The town council proposed reducing the population by half within four years, citing droppings on buildings, public spaces and cars, as well as concerns about damage to protected natural areas.
The plan drew criticism from the local stork association, whose members help clean up the mess and say the birds are protected.
Stork protection is governed by the federal government, and the canton says it cannot decide on population control.
The town’s mayor has called the proposed cut a harsh statement and said keeping the population steady, or reducing it by 20 birds, could also be acceptable.
He plans to meet with the stork association to discuss possible solutions.
Uznach’s municipal council has softened its proposal to halve the town’s stork population after facing pressure.
The council had suggested reducing the population by half within four years and changing St. Gallen’s hunting law to allow regulation.
It cited stork droppings on public and private property and the birds’ impact on nature and wetland protection areas.
Uznach has one of Switzerland’s largest stork populations, with about 50 pairs nesting there this spring.
The council says it wants to meet with the local stork association to look for solutions.
- Who
- The Uznach municipal council and the town’s stork population.
- What
- The council has stepped back from a proposal to halve the stork population and says it will seek solutions with the local stork association.
- When
- The proposal was announced recently; the SRF article was published on 12 October 2026.
- Where
- Uznach, in the canton of St. Gallen, Switzerland.
- Why
- The council cited droppings that make surfaces unusable and the birds’ impact on nature and wetland protection areas.
Uznach municipal council
Uznach Stork Association
Population management
Uznach municipal council
The council proposed reducing the stork population by half within four years, citing damage and pressure on protected areas.
Uznach Stork Association
Association president Bruno Bachmann opposes the plan and says the population regulates itself naturally.
Response to the proposal
Uznach municipal council
Council president Diego Forrer said the statement about halving the population was too strong and that a smaller reduction would also be acceptable.
Uznach Stork Association
Bachmann said he was angered by the plan and criticized the council for not informing the association directly.
Around 50 stork pairs nested on roofs and chimneys in Uznach during the breeding season.
Uznach’s municipal council proposed reducing the stork population by half within four years.
Stork association president Bruno Bachmann criticized the plan, saying he had learned of it through the media.
Mayor Diego Forrer softened the proposal and said he wanted to meet with the stork association to seek solutions.
- Stork pairs
- About 50 nested in Uznach this spring
- Proposed reduction
- Half the population within four years
- Young storks
- More than 100 were born this year; almost all survived
- Council response
- A population reduction of 20 storks would also be acceptable
- Federal responsibility
- Stork protection is governed by the federal government
What people are saying
That was a harsh statement. If we can maintain the population or have only 20 fewer storks, that would also be okay.
That is stupid. The stork is a protected bird. We work closely with the municipality. It is tragic when something like that is let out.
The canton of St. Gallen cannot decide on this matter. If anyone can, it is only the federal government.
Sources
Related news
Swiss university student numbers forecast to rise 21% by 2035
Swiss village plans truck deliveries to protect drinking water supply
Swiss helicopter operator accused of exceeding flight limits in Bernese Oberland
Swiss tenants’ group gathers 100,848 signatures against rent proposal
Swiss voters to decide on easing war-material export rules
Swiss housing debate focuses on market rules and construction barriers
Swiss ministers may seek changes to their government departments
Proposal to count lifetime working hours could reshape retirement debate
Swiss audit finds major delays in pesticide approval system
Marianne Meier lives on 1,061 francs a month in social assistance
Swiss Helicopter reported too few flights at Gsteigwiler heliport
