Correct communication on the wolf represents the first step to promote acceptance of the species, especially in newly colonized areas such as the Eastern Alps and Prealps.
So we developed a wolf presence map, involving the territories of Veneto, Trentino Alto Adige and Friuli Venezia Giulia.
The purpose of this map is not only to inform, but also to keep track of the wolf's presence in these territories, through periodic updates.
This work has been possible not only thanks to the commitment of our volunteers, but also to the contribution of professionals, individuals, organizations and associations who have committed themselves during the last year to the collection and processing of data in the field.
How to interpret this map
Herd confirmed
They are two wolves of opposite sex that have reproduced at least once and occupy a stable territory for exclusive use, whose presence has been confirmed by institutional bodies (Regions, Provinces, etc).
Herd highly probable
They are two wolves of opposite sex that have reproduced at least once and occupy a stable territory for exclusive use, and whose presence has NOT yet been confirmed by institutional bodies (Regions, Provinces, etc.) but for which the amount of data collected and processed through reports, direct sightings, snow tracing and other investigations, it makes the formation of a family in that area highly probable.
Torque
They are two wolves of opposite sex who have settled on a territory in a stable manner, but who have not yet given birth to a pack through reproduction.
Wolf found lifeless
These are wolves recovered from life after impact with cars, poaching or deaths from other causes.Positioning on the map
By convention the icons on the map have been positioned near the area that gives the name to the pack or the couple. In no case the positioning on the map represents the main area or the center of the herd area.Herd territory
In the Alps and Eastern Prealps it is estimated that the territory of a herd can be between 100 and 250 square kilometers and is for the exclusive use of the herd that inhabits it.The boundaries of the territory often follow the topography of the land, the valleys, the waterways, for this reason it is very difficult to estimate its extent without proper investigation activities such as genetic analysis or radio-collars.
For this reason, in the realization of this map it was decided not to report the estimates on the extent of the territories, but simply to place an icon in the area affected by the presence of the wolf.
Mortality of new born
In the Italian Alps and Prealps the mortality of newborns is very high: a mortality rate of 75% is estimated (Marucco et al.) within the first year of life, which means that, on average, only 1 in 4 pups can become adults.Reliability
The data represented here are the result of intense field work carried out not only by "I am not afraid of the wolf" but by a vast series of people, associations and individuals who, through passion or profession, investigate the presence of the wolf in these territories.The data reported as "confirmed" have already been published and confirmed by institutions or projects related to it, while for data not confirmed by the institutions our association believes their disclosure following checks carried out in the field.
Estimated families present
20 herds
The following estimate takes into consideration the territories of Veneto, Trentino-Alto Adige, Friuli Venezia Giulia but it is important to underline that many of these herds move between different regions or sometimes they can also move abroad.
Estimate wolves present
80/110 specimens
Due to the great elusiveness of the species and the great effort required for field monitoring, the presence of the wolf on a given territory is an "estimate" and not a certain number.
Wolves found lifeless
20 specimens
Last update: 15 December 2019
BRANCO NAME |
STATUS |
YEAR FIRST REPRODUCTION |
YEAR LAST REPRODUCTION |
SOURCE LAST REPRODUCTION |
COMMENTS |
| Lessina | Confirmed | 2013 | 2019 | I'm not afraid of the wolf | |
| Carega | Confirmed | 2016 | 2019 | I'm not afraid of the wolf | Born 2019: 8 (certain minimum number) |
| Folgaria | Confirmed | 2017 | 2018 | Autonomous Province of Trento | Pregnant dominant female invested on 19 May 2019. No reproduction in 2019 |
| Pasubio | Likely | 2019 | 2019 | I'm not afraid of the wolf | |
| Sella Valley | Confirmed | 2019 | 2019 | Autonomous Province of Trento | |
| Monte Grappa | Confirmed | 2017 | 2019 | I'm not afraid of the wolf | |
| North Asiago | Confirmed | 2016 | 2019 | I'm not afraid of the wolf | |
| South Asiago | Likely | 2018 | 2019 | I'm not afraid of the wolf | |
| With Visentin | Confirmed | 2017 | 2019 | I'm not afraid of the wolf | Born 2019: 6 (certain minimum number) |
| Cansiglio | Confirmed | 2019 | 2019 | Ass. Natualistica Lorenzoni - Wildlife Camera Project | Born 2019: 5 (certain minimum number) |
| cease | Confirmed | 2019 | 2019 | I'm not afraid of the wolf | Born 2019: 2 (certain minimum number) |
| Belluno Dolomites National Park | Confirmed | 2019 | 2019 | Belluno Dolomites National Park | Born 2019: 3 (certain minimum number) |
| Pelmo | Likely | 2019 | 2019 | I'm not afraid of the wolf | |
| Marmolada | Confirmed | 2017 | 2019 | I'm not afraid of the wolf | Born 2019: 5 (certain minimum number) |
| Magredi | Confirmed | 2018 | 2019 | Cordenonese naturalistic association | Born 2019: 3 (certain minimum number) |
| Val Calamento | Confirmed | 2019 | 2019 | Autonomous Province of Trento | |
| Tonal | Confirmed | 2019 | 2019 | Autonomous Province of Trento | |
| Cima d'Asta / Brocon | Likely | 2019 | 2019 | I'm not afraid of the wolf | |
| Luson | Confirmed | 2019 | 2019 | Autonomous Province of Bolzano | |
| Val di Non / Val d'Ultimo | Confirmed | 2018 | 2019 | Autonomous Province of Bolzano |
Two specimens of the "South Asiago" herd in which the presumed dominant female can be seen with the characteristic signs of lactation, confirming the birth, taken on 11 May 2019 during a prey transport. (Enrico Ferraro)
Download and share the map
Click on the map to download it in high resolution. Reproduction and sharing is authorized citing as source: Association I am not afraid of the wolf - www.iononhopauradellupo.it
Credits
Special thanks for the collection and processing of data to Dr. Enrico Ferraro and all the volunteers of I am not afraid of the wolf.
Graphic processing and data review: Francesco Romito.
For all data prior to 2019 the reference documents are:
Author: Marucco F., E. Advinelli, B. Bassano, R. Bionda, F. Bisi, S. Calderola, C. Chioso, U. Fattori, L. Pedrotti, D. Righetti, E. Rossi, E. Tironi, F. Truc and K. Pilgrim, Engkjer C., Schwartz M (2018).
Title: The wolf population in the Italian Alps 2014-2018. Technical report, LIFE 12 Project NAT / IT / 00080 WOLFALPS - Action A4 and D1.
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Author: Autonomous Province of Trento
Title: Large Carnivores Report 2018