In the five-year period 2019–2023, 1.639 dead wolves were found in Italy, a number that tells unequivocally, and for the first time, the minimal and real extent of the phenomenon on a national scale and which shows a constantly growing trend: we go from 210 cases registered in 2019 to 449 in 2023, more than one dead wolf every day.
These are some of the most significant findings from the report " Wolf Mortality in Italy 2019-2023 , " published today by the "I'm Not Afraid of the Wolf" APS Association. This follows extensive data collection over a year and a half, with over 60 requests for general public access sent to Regions, Autonomous Provinces, Local Health Authorities, Zooprophylactic Institutes, ISPRA, and other entities. For the first time, the report reconstructs a comprehensive, minimal picture of wolf mortality on a national scale, based on the findings recorded by the competent institutions.
Causes of death were divided into four main categories: causes indirectly attributable to humans , which include road and rail accidents, are by far the most frequent, representing approximately 60% of known cases. Undetermined causes follow , accounting for 19% of recorded cases, a percentage that reveals the difficulty in identifying and ascertaining the conditions of death. Poaching, indicated as a cause directly attributable to humans , accounts for approximately 12% of cases, while natural deaths are a minority.
According to Daniele Ecotti, president of Io non ho paura del lupo APS, "Over 70% of known deaths are attributable to human activity. But what is most worrying is the possibility that this is merely an underestimation of the phenomenon, particularly due to poaching and natural causes, both of which are difficult to detect."
Piedmont, Abruzzo, and Emilia-Romagna are the regions reporting the highest number of wolves found dead, with figures ranging between 266 and 280 cases in the five-year period analyzed. Marche, Tuscany, and Umbria also show high numbers.
In other parts of Italy, however, the figures plummet: in most regions, the number of recovered wolves has fallen below 60 total cases in five years. This inconsistency not only reflects ecological or demographic differences in the wolf population, but also highlights a structural problem. Some neighboring regions, which share ecosystems, species presence, and expansion patterns, show enormous disparities in numbers that are difficult to explain except through the lens of incomplete, fragmented, or differently managed data collection.
This territorial asymmetry is one of the most critical elements that emerged from our study: it indicates that, in Italy, knowing how many wolves die still depends too much on who collects the data, which agencies are involved, and how efficient the carcass recovery and registration process is. A species that crosses administrative borders daily is thus monitored inconsistently, with obvious repercussions on the ability to truly understand its conservation status.
For Ecotti, this is one of the most pressing issues to address: "Without reliable data on population size, mortality, and distribution, every management decision risks being arbitrary. Today, we're discussing culling and exemptions, but we still don't have a national system that uniformly collects and verifies the most basic data. This is a paradox that Italy must urgently address."
Wolf monitoring is not a simple statistical exercise; it is the foundation for understanding the evolution of an ever-changing population. Only by integrating information on population size, geographic distribution, mortality, and the causes of death can we define truly effective, transparent, and consistent management strategies with the conservation obligations set forth in national and international regulations.
The report produced by Io non ho paura del lupo APS and transmitted today to all interested bodies, including the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security , represents a first step towards greater national standardization in data collection.
The association emphasizes the need to adopt uniform procedures across all regions, create a centralized and public database, improve transparency in information management, and strengthen scientific coordination. "Monitoring," Ecotti reiterates, "is the foundation of any responsible public policy. Without data, there is no management. This report aims to fill a gap and at the same time demonstrate how much work still remains to be done."