Protected area, wolves a stable presence

A stable presence of numerous cores of wolves, some of them with up to 6 individuals. This was revealed by important research conducted in Cilento National Park, Vallo di Diano and Alburni which is part of the national project “WOLFNExT – System parks for the future of the Wolf in Italy”. K’ Nature, a company of zoologists with years of experience in the field of scientific research and ecotourism, on behalf of the Cilento, Valle di Diano and Alburni National Park Authority, has carried out the monitoring of the Apennine wolf (Canis lupus italicus) in the territory of the protected area in the period between July 2022 and September 2023.

The monitoring activity provided crucial data on the ecology of this species in Italy’s second largest national park. k’Nature experts used a variety of techniques, including camera trapping and wolf howling, to gather information on the distribution and behavior of wolves.

«Of the approximately 500 presence data, excrements represented, by far, the most abundant type of distribution signs – we read in the report – The other types of data (sightings through camera traps, discovery of dead specimens, remains of predation, tracks on mud or snow) constituted just under 40% of the total, the majority of which represented by sightings through video camera traps. This technique allowed us to witness the presence of numerous nuclei, some of which included up to 6 individuals». This study follows the monitoring conducted in the same area from October 2020 to March 2021 which had provided, as a result, the collection of a total of 381 presence data and the ascertainment of the presence of the species in 100% of the cells investigated. The study area within the new monitoring has been updated and expanded, with a total of 18 cells more than the previous monitoring, covering the entire territory of the Park. The results also reveal a high mortality of the species within the Park, with some specimens killed in road accidents or by predators such as wild boars. Furthermore, the presence of feral dogs increases the risk of hybridization and genetic pollution for the wolves present in the area.

«Through video-photo trapping, it was also possible to confirm the successful reproduction of one of the nuclei identified during the monitoring, thanks to images (dating back to August 2023) showing the herd with at least 3 cubs following it – we can read more in the final report – Another particularly relevant factor that emerged during the monitoring was the indication of a high mortality of the species within the Park territory. There were a total of 6 dead wolf specimens found, 4 of which were killed by road accidents and one, a very interesting case, was most likely killed due to wounds inflicted by a wild boar. These findings suggest that the main cause of wolf mortality within the park is most likely to be attributed to investments, although doubts remain about the role of poaching which is still, unfortunately, present in the protected area.». The data was collected by 11 operators from Kayla Nature (K’ Nature). The field activity also allowed the collection of numerous interesting data on other species of mammals present in the territory of the protected area of ​​the Park, such as the porcupine, the skunk, the otter, the wild cat, the deer and the roe deer.