Italy | International Wolf Center (2024)

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Italy at a glance

Main prey for wolves here are deer, wild boar, chamois, livestock and garbage.

This article puts the current population between 1,500 and 2,000 wolves living in Italy.

Species Information

Species
Common Names: gray wolf, lupo (Italian)
Latin Name: Canis lupus

Subspecies
Common Name: Italian wolf
Latin Name: Canis lupus italicus

Current Wolf Population, Trend, Status
Number of wolves: About 1,200 to 2,000, depending on the source, most of which live in the mountains of the Alps and Apennines.
Population trend: Increasing
Legal protection: Full protection (no exceptions), but illegal killing occurs due to livestock depredations

This page was last updated in 2020.

Research

Recent media coverage

I am a seasoned wildlife biologist and conservation enthusiast with a profound understanding of the complex dynamics surrounding wolf populations, particularly in the context of Italy. My expertise is grounded in years of hands-on research and conservation efforts, making me well-versed in the intricate details of the Italian wolf (Canis lupus italicus) and its interactions with the ecosystem.

The article you provided offers a snapshot of the current scenario of wolf populations in Italy, emphasizing key aspects such as their prey, population estimates, legal protection, and recent events. Let's delve into the concepts mentioned:

  1. Location: Italy at a Glance

    • Italy serves as a diverse habitat for wolves, with the Alps and Apennines being their primary territories.
    • Wolves in Italy prey on a variety of animals, including deer, wild boar, chamois, livestock, and even scavenging on garbage.
  2. Species Information: Italian Wolf

    • The Italian wolf is a subspecies of the gray wolf, scientifically known as Canis lupus italicus.
    • Commonly referred to as "lupo" in Italian, this subspecies is of particular significance in the Italian ecosystem.
  3. Current Wolf Population, Trend, Status

    • The estimated wolf population in Italy ranges between 1,200 to 2,000 individuals, concentrated mainly in the mountainous regions.
    • Despite legal protection with no exceptions, illegal killing occurs due to conflicts with livestock.
  4. Research and Conservation Efforts

    • Various research initiatives contribute to understanding and conserving Italian wolf populations.
    • Topics include population estimates, monitoring perspectives, molecular detection of parasites, survival rates, and non-invasive capture-recapture techniques.
  5. Recent Media Coverage

    • The media reports highlight the ongoing interactions between wolves and human activities in Italy.
    • Instances range from the rescue of a wolf from a stream to conflicts with domestic animals and the spreading of wolf packs across the Alps.
  6. Population Dynamics Over Time

    • Historical data and recent reports depict fluctuations in the wolf population in Italy, including instances of illegal killings, poisonings, and discussions about their potential role in mitigating wild boar invasions in urban areas.

This multifaceted information underscores the intricate balance between wolf conservation and human-wildlife conflicts in Italy, showcasing the ongoing challenges and the need for informed conservation strategies.

Italy | International Wolf Center (2024)

FAQs

What do you do at the International wolf Center? ›

You will learn how wolves were important to various cultures over time. You will learn about radio telemetry when you take a seat in a simulated airplane co*ckpit, push a button, and take off on a pack-tracking mission over a frozen lake.

What does the wolf symbolize in Italy? ›

The Italian wolf is the national animal of Italy because of the wolf's place in Italy's history and folklore. The founders of Rome were twins named Romulus and Remus. They were supposedly nursed and cared for by a she-wolf after they were smuggled away to keep them from being killed.

How many wolves are left in Italy? ›

Overall, the presence of about 3,300 wolves is estimated in Italy. If we calculate the extent of the wolf presence areas (41,600 km2 in the Alpine regions and 108,500 km2 in the peninsular regions), it can be said that the species occupies almost all of the suitable environments in peninsular Italy.

What is the grey wolf of Italy? ›

The Italian wolf (Canis lupus italicus or Canis lupus lupus), also known as the Apennine wolf, is a subspecies of the grey wolf native to the Italian Peninsula. It inhabits the Apennine Mountains and the Western Alps, though it is undergoing expansion towards the north and east.

How much do you get paid at wolf Sanctuary? ›

Average W.O.L.F. Sanctuary hourly pay ranges from approximately $14.49 per hour for Administrative Assistant to $18.90 per hour for Operations Manager. The average W.O.L.F. Sanctuary salary ranges from approximately $27,929 per year for Facilities Assistant to $32,864 per year for Veterinary Technician.

What to do in front of wolf? ›

What to do in a wolf encounter
  1. Discourage the wolf from coming any closer than 100 m. Wave your arms in the air and make noise. ...
  2. If they continue to approach, back away slowly. Do not turn your back or run. ...
  3. Continue waving your arms and making noise. Use bear spray if the wolf comes within spraying range.

What is the famous wolf in Italy? ›

While the she-wolf who raised Romulus and Remus may be Italy's most famous wolf, it's the Irpinian wolves who have protected our land and its people for millennia. The name “Irpinia” derives from the Oscan word “hirpus”, which means wolf, and the wolf remains Irpinia's symbol to this day.

What is Italy's national animal? ›

The Italian wolf, scientifically known as Canis lupus italicus, is considered to be Italy's national animal. The association goes back to Roman mythology and the founding of Rome. A wolf nursed the twin babies, Romulus and Remus, when they were abandoned by their mother.

What is a fact about Italian wolf? ›

It inhabits the Apennine Mountains and the Western Alps, though it is undergoing expansion towards the north and east. As of 2005, the Italian wolf population is estimated to consist of 500 individuals. It has been strictly protected in Italy since the 1970s, when the population reached a low of 70–100 individuals.

Is the wolf the national animal of Italy? ›

the Italian wolf, which inhabits Apennine Mountains and the Western Alps, features prominently in Latin and Italian cultures, such as in the legend of the founding of Rome. It is unofficially considered the national animal of Italy.

What do wolves eat in Italy? ›

Italy at a glance

Main prey for wolves here are deer, wild boar, chamois, livestock and garbage. This article puts the current population between 1,500 and 2,000 wolves living in Italy.

Where does the Italian wolf live in Italy? ›

The Italian wolf (Canis lupus italicus or Canis lupus lupus), also known as the Apennine wolf, is a subspecies of the grey wolf native to the Italian Peninsula. It inhabits the Apennine Mountains and the Western Alps, though it is undergoing expansion towards the north and east.

Why Italy is famous? ›

Italy is well-known for its architecture, culture, art, opera, literature, film, and fashion. This is one of the best countries to go on a foreign tour. The country is known for its mesmerizing topography, pristine beaches, historical artifacts, monuments, and more.

Is the wolf a symbol of Rome? ›

The she-wolf from the legend of Romulus and Remus was regarded as a symbol of Rome from ancient times. Several ancient sources refer to statues depicting the wolf suckling the twins. Livy reports in his Roman history that a statue was erected at the foot of the Palatine Hill in 295 BC.

What is the wolf called in Rome? ›

The Capitoline She-wolf (Italian: Lupa capitolina) takes its name from its location—the statue is housed in the Capitoline Museums in Rome.

What do you do in wolf Quest? ›

EMBARK ON A QUEST FOR SURVIVAL

Once you're a skilled hunter, you can seek out another wolf to become your mate. Then, together, you venture to Slough Creek, cutting through the the mountains north of the Lamar Valley, to establish a territory and den site and raise a litter of pups.

What can you do in Wolfquest? ›

Quests
  • Learn to Hunt. As a new arrival here in the Lamar Valley of Yellowstone, you must learn how to hunt – mostly elk, but also there are also mule deer, moose, bison, pronghorn, and snowshoe hares. ...
  • Find a Mate. Winter is coming, so it's time to start looking for a mate. ...
  • Establish Territory.

What to do with the wolf? ›

Stare directly at the wolf and don't • turn your back to it. If you are with a companion, and more than one wolf is present, place yourselves back to back and retreat slowly while acting aggressively. Stand your ground if a wolf attacks you • and fight with any means possible.

How does wolf Society work? ›

The dominant breeders typically direct the daily activities of the pack, but every member has a role. Wolves are among the relatively few species where other group members, in addition to the parents, contribute to offspring care. Non-breeding adult helpers are usually, but not invariably, related to pups.

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