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ECOREGIONS OF ITALY
Wolves in National Parks, Forests and Reserves of Italy
Wolves in Foreste Casentinesi National Park
Wolves in Abruzzo Lazio and Molise National Park / Lupi dentro Parco Nazionale d’Abruzzo, Lazio e Molise
Wolves in Pollino National Park
Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park
Majella National Park
Mount Antola Regional Park
Parco Nazionale del Cilento, Vallo di Diano e Alburni
Monti Sibillini National Park
Gray Wolf (Canis lupus)
Italian Wolf (Canis lupus italicus)
Lupo Grigio
Population Statistics [Approximately 2,000, 2016], 3,300 (2020-2021)
Statistiche Demografiche
Legal Status; Protected
Status Giuridico
Legally protected as of July 23, 1971. The wolf is a protected species under Italian National Law n. 157/1992. And protected by the European Legislation – 1979 Bern Convention (Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats) Appendix II (Strictly Protected Species). 1992 Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the Conservation of Natural Habitats of Wild Fauna and Flora) Appendix II (Habitat Conservation Needs) Appendix IV (Full Protection)
Resources
Risorse
Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA
Piano d’azione nazionaleper la conservazione del Lupo (Canis lupus)
Ministero dell’Ambiente e della Tutela del Territorio e del Mare
Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga
Organizations
Organizzazioni
Canislupus Italia (Firenzuola (Firenze, Italy).
LIFE MEDWOLF (Roma, Italy)
Gruppo Lupo Italia
Io Non Ho Paura del Lupo
News Resources & Publications
Risorse di Notizie e Pubblicazioni
The Daily Telegraph
Corriere Della Sera
LATEST ITALIAN NEWS
più notizie recenti LATEST EUROPEAN NEWS
Wolf and Wildlife News from Italy
- Italy’s wolf population rises to 3,300 | Wanted in Rome
15th Oct 2023
- Genomes of the extinct Sicilian wolf reveal a complex history of isolation and admixture with ancient dogs | bioRxiv
06th Feb 2022
- Snared: catching poachers to save Italy’s songbirds | The Guardian
12th Apr 2021
- In virus lockdown, Europe’s predators regain turf
12th Jul 2020
- Recent Changes in Wolf Habitat Occupancy and Feeding Habits in Italy: Implications for Conservation and Reducing Conflict with Humans | Problematic Wildlife II
12th May 2020
- Anthropogenic food subsidies hinder the ecological role of wolves: Insights for conservation of apex predators in human-modified landscapes | Global Ecology and Conservation.
09th Nov 2019
- Rischio ibridazione per il lupo italiano | National Geographic
06th Jan 2019
- Italy’s fractious coalition clashes over proposal to shoot wolves | The Telegraph
14th Aug 2018
- Ecco i quattro cuccioli di lupo Fotografati vicini alla Val Cavargna | Lago e valli Cavargna
19th Aug 2017
- Wolves shot and mutilated as Italy considers bringing back a cull after more than 40 years of protecting the predator | The Telegraph
27th Jan 2017
Journal Articles
Factors affecting wolf (Canis lupus L.) occupancy and locomotory activity patterns in a newly recolonized mountainous area: the Apuan Alps, Italy. PETRONI, L., 2021
Management Models Applied to the Human-Wolf Conflict in Agro-Forestry-Pastoral Territories of Two Italian Protected Areas and One Spanish Game Area. Piscopo N, Gentile L, Scioli E, Eguren VG, Carvajal Urueña AM, García TY, Alberti JP, Esposito L. Animals. 2021 Apr
ABSTRACT
Our work shows that, despite the persistence of persecutory actions, conservation activity has proved successful for the return of numerous wild mammals to different habitats, including the wolf. The human-wolf conflict is still described in all countries where the wolf is present. This is evidenced by the high number of damages on livestock, and the corpses of wolves found both in protected areas and in those where hunting is permitted. The diagnosis of road accidents, together with poisoning and poaching, are major causes of mortality. Although hunting records the highest percentage of kills in Spain, the demographic stability reported by the censuses suggests that this activity does not have a consistent influence on the Iberian wolf population’s survival. In Italy, where wolf hunting is prohibited, wolf populations are to be increasing. In some Italian situations, wolf attacks on horses seem to cause unwanted damage to foals, but they represent a very precious source of information about the habits of carnivores. A simple management plan would be sufficient to help the coexistence between the productive parts and the ecosystem services ensured by the presence of the wolf. The presence of hybrids is a negative factor.
The First Report on the Ecology and Distribution of the Wolf Population in Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park. Buglione M, Troisi SR, Petrelli S, van Vugt M, Notomista T, Troiano C, Bellomo A, Maselli V, Gregorio R, Fulgione D. Biology Bulletin. 2020 Nov
Zoonotic Bartonella species in Eurasian wolves and other free‐ranging wild mammals from Italy. Greco G, Zarea AA, Sgroi G, Tempesta M, D’Alessio N, Lanave G, Bezerra‐Santos MA, Iatta R, Veneziano V, Otranto D, Chomel B.Zoonoses and Public Health. 2021 Mar
The Free-Ranging Italian Wolf (Canis lupus italicus): A Study of the Circulation of DNA and RNA Viruses in Three Italian Regions. Musto, C., 2020
Recolonizing wolves and opportunistic foxes: interference or facilitation?. Ferretti F, Pacini G, Belardi I, ten Cate B, Sensi M, Oliveira R, Rossa M, Burrini L, Lovari S. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. 2020 Dec
Dirofilaria immitis in wolves recolonizing northern Italy: are wolves competent hosts?. PMoroni B, Rossi L, Meneguz PG, Orusa R, Zoppi S, Robetto S, Marucco F, Tizzani P.arasites & Vectors. 2020 Dec
Dirofilaria immitis in wolves recolonizing northern Italy: are wolves competent hosts?. Moroni B, Rossi L, Meneguz PG, Orusa R, Zoppi S, Robetto S, Marucco F, Tizzani P. Parasites & Vectors. 2020 Dec
Combining ensemble models and connectivity analyses to predict wolf expected dispersal routes through a lowland corridor. Dondina O, Orioli V, Torretta E, Merli F, Bani L, Meriggi A. Plos one. 2020 Feb
Genetic Characterization of Canine Adenovirus Type 1 Detected by Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction in an Oral Sample of An Italian Wolf (Canis lupus). Balboni A, Musto C, Kaehler E, Verin R, Caniglia R, Fabbri E, Carra E, Cotti C, Battilani M, Delogu M. Journal of wildlife diseases. 2019 Feb
Identification of pantropic canine coronavirus in a wolf (Canis lupus italicus) in Italy. Alfano F, Dowgier G, Valentino MP, Galiero G, Tinelli A, Decaro N, Fusco G. Journal of wildlife diseases. 2019 Apr
[PDF] The Sicilian wolf: Genetic identity of a recently extinct insular population
M Galaverni, D Palumbo, G Ravegnini, L Rossi…bioRxiv preprint first posted online Oct. 25, 2018
A new subspecies of gray wolf, recently extinct, from Sicily, Italy (Carnivora, Canidae)
FM Angelici, L Rossi – bioRxiv, 2018
Beyond home: Preliminary data on wolf extraterritorial forays and dispersal in Central Italy;S Mancinelli, P Ciucci – Mammalian Biology, 2018 –
[HTML] Estimation of pack density in grey wolf (Canis lupus) by applying spatially explicit capture-recapture models to camera trap data supported by genetic monitoring.L Mattioli L, Canu A, Passilongo D, Scandura M, Apollonio M. Frontiers in Zoology, 2018 Dec
From predation to management: monitoring wolf distribution and understanding depredation patterns from attacks on livestock. Fabbri E, Velli E, D’Amico F, Galaverni M, Mastrogiuseppe L, Mattucci F, Caniglia R. Hystrix, the Italian Journal of Mammalogy. 2018 Jun
Hierarchical, multi‐grain rendezvous site selection by wolves in southern Italy
P Ciucci, L Boitani, M Falco, L Maiorano – The Journal of Wildlife Management
Inter-pack, seasonal and annual variation in prey consumed by wolves in Pollino National Park, southern Italy; P Ciucci, L Artoni, F Crispino, E Tosoni, L Boitani – European Journal of Wildlife …, 2018
Determinants of home range size and space use patterns in a protected wolf (Canis lupus) population in central Apennines, Italy.
S Mancinelli, L Boitani, P Ciucci – Canadian Journal of Zoology, 2018
[PDF] The Wolf, Canis lupus Linnaeus, 1758 (Mammalia Canidae): re-colonization is still ongoing in Southern Italy: a breeding pack documented through camera traps in …
G Marzano, F Crispino, M Rugge, G Gervasio, Biodiversity Journal 2017
Wolves and wild ungulates in the Ligurian Alps (Western Italy): prey selection and spatial-temporal interactions. Torretta E, Serafini M, Imbert C, Milanesi P, Meriggi A. Mammalia. 2017 Oct
Helminth infections in faecal samples of Apennine wolf (Canis lupus italicus) and Marsican brown bear (Ursus arctos marsicanus) in two protected national parks of …
B Paoletti, R Iorio, D Traversa, CEF Di, L Gentile… – Annals of parasitology, 2017
[HTML] Angiostrongylus vasorum in wolves in Italy: prevalence and pathological findings; C De Liberato, G Grifoni, R Lorenzetti, R Meoli… – Parasites & Vectors, 2017
Kleptoparasitism and Scavenging Can Stabilize Ecosystem Dynamics; S Focardi, M Materassi, G Innocenti, D Berzi – The American Naturalist, 1 August 2017
The wolf from Grotta Mora Cavorso (Simbruini mountains, Latium) within the evolution of Canis lupus L., 1758 in the Quaternary of Italy. Salari L, Achino KF, Gatta M, Petronio C, Rolfo MF, Silvestri L, Pandolfi L. Palaeogeography, palaeoclimatology, palaeoecology. 2017 Jun
Wolf predation on wild ungulates: how slope and habitat cover influence the localization of kill sites. Torretta E, Caviglia L, Serafini M, Meriggi A. Current zoology. 2017 May
Why do wolves eat livestock?: factors influencing wolf diet in northern Italy
C Imbert, R Caniglia, E Fabbri, P Milanesi, E Randi… – Biological …, 2016
Why do wolves eat livestock?: Factors influencing wolf diet in northern Italy. Imbert C, Caniglia R, Fabbri E, Milanesi P, Randi E, Serafini M, Torretta E, Meriggi A. Biological Conservation. 2016 Mar
Long-distance dispersal connects Dinaric-Balkan and Alpine grey wolf (Canis lupus) populations. Ražen N, Brugnoli A, Castagna C, Groff C, Kaczensky P, Kljun F, Knauer F, Kos I, Krofel M, Luštrik R, Majić A. European journal of wildlife research. 2016 Feb
One, no one, or one hundred thousand: how many wolves are there currently in Italy?. Galaverni M, Caniglia R, Fabbri E, Milanesi P, Randi E. Mammal Research. 2016 Jan
Short-term responses of wolf feeding habits to changes of wild and domestic ungulate abundance in Northern Italy. Meriggi A, Dagradi V, Dondina O, Perversi M, Milanesi P, Lombardini M, Raviglione S, Repossi A. Ethology Ecology & Evolution. 2015 Oct
Wolf predation on livestock in an area of northern Italy and prediction of damage risk. Dondina O, Meriggi A, Dagradi V, Perversi M, Milanesi P. Ethology Ecology & Evolution. 2015 Apr
Angiostrongylus vasorum in wolves in Italy. Eleni C, De Liberato C, Azam D, Morgan ER, Traversa D. International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife. 2014 Apr
Mast seeding in deciduous forests of the northern Apennines (Italy) and its influence on wild Boar population dynamics. Cutini A, Chianucci F, Chirichella R, Donaggio E, Mattioli L, Apollonio M. Annals of forest science. 2013 Jul
Trophic niche overlap and wild ungulate consumption by red fox and wolf in a mountain area in Italy. Bassi E, Donaggio E, Marcon A, Scandura M, Apollonio M. Mammalian biology-zeitschrift für säugetierkunde. 2012 Sep
Residents’ support for wolf and bear conservation: the moderating influence of knowledge. Glikman JA, Vaske JJ, Bath AJ, Ciucci P, Boitani L. European Journal of Wildlife Research. 2012 Feb
Selection of wild ungulates by wolves Canis lupus (L. 1758) in an area of the Northern Apennines (North Italy). Milanesi P, Meriggi A, Merli E. Ethology Ecology & Evolution. 2012 Jan
Ex-post compensation payments for wolf predation on livestock in Italy: a tool for conservation?. Boitani L, Ciucci P, Raganella-Pelliccioni E. Wildlife Research. 2011 Jan
Changes of wolf (Canis lupus) diet in Italy in relation to the increase of wild ungulate abundance. Meriggi A, Brangi A, Schenone L, Signorelli D, Milanesi P. Ethology Ecology & Evolution. 2011 Jul
Segmenting normative beliefs regarding wolf management in central Italy. Glikman JA, Bath AJ, Vaske JJ. Human Dimensions of Wildlife. 2010 Sep
The acoustic structure of wolf howls in some eastern Tuscany (central Italy) free ranging packs. Passilongo D, Buccianti A, Dessi-Fulgheri F, Gazzola A, Zaccaroni M, Apollonio M. Bioacoustics. 2010 Jan
Wolf survival and population trend using non‐invasive capture–recapture techniques in the Western Alps. Marucco F, Pletscher DH, Boitani L, Schwartz MK, Pilgrim KL, Lebreton JD. Journal of Applied Ecology. 2009 Oct;
Mortality parameters of the wolf in Italy: does the wolf keep himself from the door?. Lovari S, Sforzi A, Scala C, Fico R. Journal of Zoology. 2007 Jun
Selection of rendezvous sites and reuse of pup raising areas among wolvesCanis lupus of north-eastern Apennines, Italy. Capitani C, Mattioli L, Avanzinelli E, Gazzola A, Lamberti P, Mauri L, Scandura M, Viviani A, Apollonio M. Acta theriologica. 2006 Dec
Predation by wolves (Canis lupus) on wild and domestic ungulates of the western Alps, Italy. Gazzola A, Bertelli I, Avanzinelli E, Tolosano A, Bertotto P, Apollonio M. Journal of Zoology. 2005 Jun
Evidence of genetic distinction and long‐term population decline in wolves (Canis lupus) in the Italian Apennines
V Lucchini, A Galov, E Randi – Molecular Ecology, 2004 Mar
Occurrence of black wolves in the Northern Apennines, Italy. Apollonio M, Mattioli L, Scandura M. Acta theriologica. 2004 Sep
Food habits of wolves in central Italy based on stomach and intestine analyses
F Pezzo, L Parigi, R Fico – Acta theriologica, 2003
Winter habitat and travel route selection by wolves in the northern Apennines, Italy. Ciucci P, Masi M, Boitani L. Ecography. 2003 Apr
Noninvasive molecular tracking of colonizing wolf (Canis lupus) packs in the western Italian Alps
V Lucchini, E Fabbri, F Marucco, S Ricci… – Molecular …, 2002
Factors affecting habitat occupancy by wolves in northern Apennines (northern Italy): a model of habitat suitability. Massolo A, Meriggi A. Ecography. 1998 Apr
A comparison of scat-analysis methods to assess the diet of the wolf Canis lupus. Ciucci P, Boitani L, Pelliccioni ER, Rocco M, Guy I. Wildlife biology. 1996 Mar
A genetic investigation of enzyme polymorphisms shared by wolf and dog: suggestions for conservation of the wolf in Italy. Lorenzini R, Fico R. Acta Theriologica. 1995 Jan
Wolf food habits and wild ungulate availability in the Foreste Casentinesi National Park, Italy. Mattioli L, Apollonio M, Mazzarone V, Centofanti E. Acta Theriologica. 1995 Dec
Wolf research and conservation in Italy. Boitani L. Biological conservation. 1992 Jan
Habitat use and diet of the wolf in northern Italy. Meriggi A, Rosa P, Brangi A, Matteucci C. Acta theriologica. 1991 Jan