Poisoning suspected in deaths of 18 wolves in Italian national park

Eighteen wolves have been found dead within a few days in the Abruzzo, Lazio, and Molise National Park in central Italy, with poisoning suspected as the cause.

Initial discoveries of ten carcasses last week were followed by eight more after increased patrols in the park.

Tests conducted by the local animal health research institute IZS Teramo on thirteen of the dead wolves confirmed the presence of agricultural pesticides used in poisoned bait.

The park authority is working with local public prosecutors to determine the exact cause of death.

Environment Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin condemned the killings as "horrendous and serious," emphasizing the importance of wolf protection for ecosystem balance.

Italy's Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (Ispra) warned that poisoned bait poses risks not only to wolves but also to other protected wildlife, domestic pets, and public safety.

This incident comes amid a recent increase in the wolf population across Europe, with the European Union reporting a 35% rise to 23,000 wolves between 2016 and 2023.

In Italy, the wolf population was estimated at approximately 3,300 according to a 2020-21 census by Ispra.

The growing wolf population has led to more attacks on livestock, prompting the EU to downgrade wolves from "strictly protected" to "protected" status.

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