Italy: 18 dead wolves found in national park, intentional poisoning suspected

(Patria) - In an Italian national park, 18 wolf carcasses have been found within a week, in what appears to be a series of poisonings described by conservationists as the most serious crimes against wild animals in Italy in the last ten years.

Authorities of the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park announced that eight dead wolves were found in three different areas of the large park in recent days.

This brings the total number to 18 after 10 carcasses were discovered last week. Three dead foxes and one buzzard were also found.

"Disappointment is mixed with despair… It is a pain that goes from deep suffering to disbelief. We hope we will not have to face further bad news. We reiterate once again that, whatever the motive, illegality and crime cannot be justified in any way," the park authorities stated in a press release.

An investigation was launched last week after park rangers found suspicious poisoned baits near five dead wolves in the Alfedena area. This led to suspicions that the other five wolves found in Pescasseroli also died in the same way.

Tests are being conducted to determine the cause of death, although park authorities have pointed out that the simultaneous death of other animal species strongly suggests intentional poisoning.

The situation is particularly concerning due to the presence of the Marsican bear, a critically endangered subspecies of brown bear, which inhabits the Apennine region within the national park.

Luciano D'Angelo, the prosecutor leading the investigation, gave a statement to Corriere della Sera last week.

"Bears and wolves are symbols of this area, and we do not take their killing lightly. Initial investigations point to poison, but we will know exactly what it is later," said D'Angelo.

The Italian branch of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) stated that the suspected wolf killings are "the most serious crimes against wildlife in the last 10 years".

"They represent an unacceptable criminal trend in a civilized country. We have reached a number of 18 illegally killed wolves in just a few days. This continuous slaughter strikes at the very heart of our natural heritage.

The spread of poison to target an iconic species like the wolf is a cowardly and criminal act against biodiversity and an attack on public safety. It is the year 2026, and such acts must not go unpunished," the organization stated.

WWF Italy partially blames the European Union's decision last year, which downgraded the wolf's status from "strictly protected" to "protected", for the animals' deaths. This move was primarily intended to allow for easier culling and management of the growing population.

The downgrade in status followed pressure from farmers due to increased attacks on livestock, and was strongly supported by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen after a wolf killed her family's pony, Dolly.

It is estimated that around 20,000 wild wolves live in EU countries. The largest populations are in Italy, followed by Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Poland, and Spain.

In Italy, wolf hunting, which were once classified as "harmful pests", was once actively encouraged. However, in the 1970s, when their population was almost extinct, the Italian government passed a law granting them official protection, and wolf hunting was banned.