18 Wolves Found Dead in Italian National Park, Poisoning Suspected as Cause

Poisoning is suspected in the deaths of 18 wolves within a few days in the Abruzzo, Lazio, and Molise National Park, which spans three regions of central Italy. Carcasses of 10 wolves were found last week in the park, followed by another eight wolf carcasses discovered in recent days after patrols were stepped up. BBC News reported these details, noting the park authority's suspicions.

Traces of suspected poisoned bait were found in an area where five of the wolves had been found dead, according to the Abruzzo, Lazio, and Molise National Park authority. The latest eight wolf deaths raised very strong suspicion of further poisoning, the authority stated. The park authority is working to determine the cause of death and collaborating with local public prosecutors.

Thirteen of the dead wolves were taken to the IZS institute in Teramo. Tests by the IZS institute in Teramo found the presence of pesticides for agriculture used in poisoned bait for animals in the wolves. Italy is home to about 3,300 wolves according to a 2020-21 census by Ispra.

Environment Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin condemned the killings as horrendous and serious. He stated that the protection of wolves was crucial to the balance of our ecosystem. The killing of wolves most likely by poisoning called into question significant advances in animal protection and conservation, according to Italy's Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (Ispra).

The wolf population in Europe increased by 35% to 23,000 from 2016 to 2023, according to the European Union. The increase in wolves is concentrated especially in Central Europe and Alpine regions. Latest EU data suggests 65,500 individual livestock are killed by wolves each year.

The EU downgraded the strictly protected status of wolves to protected. A limited cull of 160 wolves is allowed annually in Italy from 2026. Stefano Ciafani, head of environmental group Legambiente, described the 18 deaths as an unprecedented attack on protected wildlife and an example of do-it-yourself justice.

Ciafani warned that other animals could now come under attack, including the Marsican brown bear. About 50 Marsican bears remain. The Marsican brown bear is a critically endangered species considered a symbol of the Abruzzo national park.