Yes, keeping roadkill in Switzerland is generally legal under strict conditions, provided the animal is not protected and proper reporting procedures are followed. The Swiss Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) permits retrieval for personal use if the carcass is reported to local authorities within 24 hours. However, species protected under the Ordinance on Hunting and Game Management (e.g., lynx, ibex) remain off-limits. Recent 2026 amendments to the Environmental Protection Act have tightened biosecurity protocols, requiring mandatory veterinary inspection for consumption.
Key Regulations for Keeping Roadkill in Switzerland
- Reporting Obligation: Carcasses must be declared to the cantonal wildlife authorities within 24 hours via the Swiss Wildlife Reporting System (SWRS), as mandated by FOEN’s 2026 circular. Failure to report risks fines up to CHF 5,000 under cantonal enforcement.
- Species Restrictions: Only non-protected mammals (e.g., foxes, deer) and birds (e.g., crows, pigeons) may be kept. Species listed in the Ordinance on the Protection of Wild Fauna and Flora (e.g., badgers, beavers) are strictly prohibited.
- Disposal & Usage: If unfit for consumption (e.g., trauma, disease), carcasses must be incinerated at an approved facility. Edible specimens require a cantonal veterinary certificate per Ordinance on Food of Animal Origin (Art. 12). Taxidermy is permitted only with a cantonal hunting license.
Local cantons (e.g., Grisons, Valais) may impose additional measures, such as seasonal bans during rabies surveillance. Always cross-reference with the Federal Act on Hunting and Game Protection (RS 922.0) and cantonal wildlife decrees before retrieval.