Dangerous Wildlife In Austria: A Survival Guide

Austria is a small landlocked country in central Europe, with a landscape dominated by mountains, forests, foothills and lakes. The country is home to a diverse range of wildlife, but dangerous animals are relatively rare. The most common dangers come from venomous snakes, such as the Kreuzotter, and predators in remote areas, such as bears, wolves and lynxes. Wild boars can also be dangerous, particularly if they feel threatened.

Bears

Austria is home to brown bears, which are large carnivores that typically live in the Alps mountain range. While they are dangerous animals, fatal bear attacks are rare, with only 9% of bear attacks being deadly. Brown bears are not known to prey on humans, and usually only attack in defence against a perceived threat.

In Austria, the national population of brown bears was estimated to be between 25 and 30 animals at the start of a conservation project. This number included sightings of mother bears with cubs in the Lower Austrian and Styrian limestone Alps between Ötscher and Hochschwab, and southern Carinthia around Weißensee and the Karawanken. Despite evidence of continued procreation, the population was stagnating, with adolescent bears disappearing without a trace as they set off in search of their own territory. The possible reasons for the stagnation were identified as the emigration of young bears, unknown causes of high mortality among adolescent bears, and poaching.

In the Northern Limestone Alps, between 1989 and 2010, at least 35 bears were part of a WWF Austria augmentation project. However, due to poaching and a small founder population, this project ultimately failed. The last bear in this region, named Moritz, could not be detected in 2011, and the sub-population is now deemed extinct.

In Tyrol, on the Austrian side of the Alps, there are only one or two bears, which wandered over from Trentino in Italy. While this nascent population is small, it has been enough to spark concerns among locals, who worry about their safety and freedom.

In much of the Alps, bears had been hunted to extinction, and only remained as stuffed specimens in museums. An EU-funded project called Life Ursus aimed to slowly turn back the clock and reintroduce brown bears to the region. While the project was initially successful, with the population growing to around 100, the future of the bears is now in doubt due to a series of attacks on people.

One such bear, named Jurka, was captured in Trentino, Italy, and transferred to a wildlife park in Germany after being deemed a potential threat to humans. Jurka's daughter, JJ4, killed a jogger named Andrea Papi, in her second attack on humans. This tragedy has sparked a heated debate in the Alps over what the return of the bears means for rural communities.

Wolves

In 2020, the estimated population of wolves in Austria numbered 20. By 2025, wolves were continuing to make their comeback in Austria and were spotted in the country with increasing frequency.

Vipers

Common Viper

The Common Viper, also known as the Common European Adder, is prevalent in central and eastern Europe and Asia. They are venomous, and their bite results in a sharp pain followed by swelling. They are usually timid and avoid humans. However, when they feel threatened, they turn the upper part of their body into an S-shape in anticipation of a strike.

Nose-horned Viper

The Nose-horned Viper, also known as the Horned Viper, Long-nosed Viper, or Sand Viper, is considered the most venomous snake in Austria. Its venom is highly toxic, with neurotoxic and cytotoxic components that cause severe pain and swelling. They have long fangs (approximately 13mm) to deliver their lethal venom. This viper has a distinctive single "horn" on its snout, making it easily identifiable. They are found near rocks, stone walls, and other areas that provide cover from vegetation.

Orsini's Viper

Orsini's Viper, also called the Meadow Viper, is found in eastern Europe, with several subspecies recognised. This viper is highly sensitive to human activity and rarely bites humans. It is not aggressive but can still strike when provoked. It is a venomous snake, and its bite can be dangerous.

Wild boar

In Austria, wild boar hunting is quite popular. The country's mountainous terrain attracted over 20 million visitors in 2021. The best time to hunt wild boars is from November to January, and it can be done by stalking and sporting, usually in the early morning, late afternoon, or during a full moon at night.

Ticks

The risk of contracting Lyme disease is highest in the western Austrian state of Vorarlberg, followed by Upper Austria and Tyrol. The risk is lowest in Lower Austria. Rickettsia, which can cause typhus fever, is most prevalent in ticks in the Vienna area, followed by Carinthia and Lower Austria.

To prevent tick-borne infections, it is important to take precautions when spending time outdoors in areas with ticks, such as forests. It is recommended to use insect repellent and wear long pants. If you find a tick on your body, remove it as soon as possible by grasping it as close to the skin as possible with tweezers and pulling it out. It is also important to see a doctor as soon as possible after a tick bite to get checked for infections and start treatment if necessary.

Frequently asked questions