PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The Appennino Reggiano Regional Park (Parco dell'Alto Appennino Reggiano) is the most extensive regional park in the Emilia-Romagna region. When the project was carried out it marked the northernmost part of the range occupied by the wolf in Italy. The park hosted a nucleus of 10-35 wolves. Studies of the park's wolves had been carried out since 1988 and one of the animals had been fitted with a radio transmitter. The wolf was absent from the area until the beginning of the 1980s. One reason for this was the type of land use practiced at that time, such as extensive coppicing of forests. The massive decline of livestock raising, in particular of 'transhumance' (seasonal movement of livestock between upland and lowland pastures) animals, coupled with direct persecution, had led to the total disappearance of the wolf from these areas. The establishment of the park made the return of the wolf possible. However, despite this, factors posing a severe threat remained. These included poaching, both of the wolf itself and of its prey, and the continued absence of traditional livestock herding.
OBJECTIVES
The project's overall objective was to introduce a management system that would offer the best opportunity for the preservation of wolves in the park, and of their habitat. An intensive anti-poaching campaign was planned, accompanied by measures to prevent livestock losses by building wolf-proof enclosures for livestock. The building-up of specific knowledge about the packs of wolves in the park was planned (including estimates of numbers, extent of hunting ranges, maps of breeding sites and diets in relation to available prey). In parallel, the beneficiary set out to collect data on the populations of wild ungulates (roe deer, red deer and wild pig), which are the principal food source for the wolf. The project further planned to create an indemnity scheme to compensate breeders for livestock losses due to the wolves, and to raise livestock in appropriate areas. Another task of the project was to implement an education and awareness campaign aimed at herdsmen, farmers and hunters, as well as local schools and tourists visiting the park.
RESULTS
The project achieved the goals it had set. The main outcomes can be summarized as follows:
Five wolf-proof pens were built for use by local shepherds. They were carefully designed and built in order to minimise the opportunity for wolves to enter them, even if the pens are unguarded. The scheme for compensation for livestock losses, which was adopted, ensured prompt payment of compensation for at least 30 domestic animals killed by wolves. This is important considering that many killings of wolves in Italy result from the exasperation of stock-raisers arising from long and cumbersome compensation procedures. However, compensation in the form of live animals for losses to wolves could not be implemented, as foreseen, because stock-raisers preferred to be compensated with money. The surveillance system set up by the project significantly reduced poaching and is being continued by the park. Four non-graduate staff were hired for surveillance and for collaborating with the control operations related to wolf damages to livestock. The beneficiary made considerable efforts to involve the local population in wolf conservation: meetings were held with breeders and with the students of local high schools to build knowledge and understanding. Local hunters supported the project and this is another important goal achieved by the beneficiary. Articles on the project have been published in the Park newsletter and in local newspapers. The project has contributed to scientific knowledge of wolf ecology. The project was supported by several university theses, and their contribution has led to improvements in scientific monitoring. According to the surveys carried out by the project it appears that the most abundant prey is roe deer (numbering ca. 2.000), followed by wild boar (> 157) and moufflon (ca. 200). Red deer presence was estimated at less than 30 individuals in the whole park. Estimates of the numbers of wolves were made based on signs left by the species (tracks, scats, killings, etc.) collected on specific transects (total length 197km) and by the wolf-howling technique (humans imitating wolf howls to which wolves will respond).The project achieved the goals it had set. The main outcomes can be summarized as follows: Five wolf-proof pens were built for use by local shepherds. They were carefully designed and built in order to minimise the opportunity for wolves to enter them, even if the pens are unguarded. The scheme for compensation for livestock losses, which was adopted, ensured prompt payment of compensation for at least 30 domestic animals killed by wolves. This is important considering that many killings of wolves in Italy result from the exasperation of stock-raisers arising from long and cumbersome compensation procedures. However, compensation in the form of live animals for losses to wolves could not be implemented, as foreseen, because stock-raisers preferred to be compensated with money. The surveillance system set up by the project significantly reduced poaching and is being continued by the park. Four non-graduate staff were hired for surveillance and for collaborating with the control operations related to wolf damages to livestock. The beneficiary made considerable efforts to involve the local population in wolf conservation: meetings were held with breeders and with the students of local high schools to build knowledge and understanding. Local hunters supported the project and this is another important goal achieved by the beneficiary. Articles on the project have been published in the Park newsletter and in local newspapers. The project has contributed to scientific knowledge of wolf ecology. The project was supported by several university theses, and their contribution has led to improvements in scientific monitoring. According to the surveys carried out by the project it appears that the most abundant prey is roe deer (numbering ca. 2.000), followed by wild boar (> 157) and moufflon (ca. 200). Red deer presence was estimated at less than 30 individuals in the whole park. Estimates of the numbers of wolves were made based on signs left by the species (tracks, scats, killings, etc.) collected on specific transects (total length 197km) and by the wolf-howling technique (humans imitating wolf howls to which wolves will respond).
