Wildlife Rest Zones and Wildlife Protection Areas

Wildlife Rest Zones 

Wild animals depend on undisturbed retreat areas. The designation of wildlife rest zones directs human activities, especially in winter, ensuring that wildlife have sufficiently large areas for retreat and feeding.

Wildlife rest zones may not be used, or only used with restrictions, for recreational activities during certain seasons or, in some cases, year-round (e.g., stay on trails, keep dogs on a leash, ski tours only on marked routes).

There are two types of wildlife rest zones: legally binding and recommended. Legally binding wildlife rest zones are established through a formal legal process (e.g., cantonal hunting law, municipal zoning). Violations of regulations in these areas are punishable by law. Recommended wildlife rest zones are areas where consideration for wildlife should also be taken to minimize disturbances. However, they are based on voluntary compliance and personal responsibility.

Wildlife Protection Areas 

Wildlife protection areas serve to protect selected species and their habitats. These include, in particular, the 43 federal hunting ban areas. In these areas, both hunting and recreational use are restricted.

In the federal hunting ban areas, the following regulations apply, among others: 

• Hunting is prohibited. 
• Animals must not be disturbed. 
• Feeding wildlife is prohibited. 
• Dogs must be kept on a leash. 
• Free camping is prohibited. 
• Drones are prohibited. 
• Skiing outside marked trails, routes, and cross-country ski tracks is prohibited.

A map of wildlife rest zones and wildlife protection areas, along with the applicable regulations, can be found on the following website. Clicking on a wildlife rest zone or wildlife protection area displays information about the protection regulations.

Additional Protected Areas 

There are numerous other protected areas, such as nature reserves, designated by cantons, municipalities, and private organizations like Pro Natura. These protected areas are not shown on the federal interactive maps (map.geo.admin.ch or wildruhezonen.ch). Further information about these protected areas can be found on the respective cantonal geoportals. The usual starting points provide information about the applicable regulations in the area via signage.