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 relevant data from the report "Wolf mortality in Italy 2019-2023", published today by the Io non ho paura del lupo APS Association after an extensive data collection effort carried out over a year and a half of work with over 60 requests for generalized civic access sent to Regions, Autonomous Provinces, Local Health Authorities, Zooprophylactic Institutes, ISPRA and other bodies. The report reconstructs for the first time a minimal overall picture of wolf mortality on a national scale, based on the findings recorded by the competent institutions.
The causes of death were divided into four main categories: causes indirectly attributable to man, which include road and rail investments, are by far the most frequent and represent approximately 60% of known cases. The following are undetermined causes, which constitute 19% of the registrations, a percentage that reveals the difficulty in identifying and ascertaining the conditions of death. Poaching, indicated as cause directly attributable to man, affects approximately 12% of cases, while the natural deaths they turn out to be 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 that report the highest number of wolves found dead, with values 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 data plummets: In most regions, the number of wolves recovered does not exceed 60 total cases in five years. This discontinuity not only reflects ecological or demographic differences in the wolf population, but above all highlights a structural problem. Some bordering regions, which share ecosystems, species presence and expansion dynamics, They show huge discrepancies in the numbers, which 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 organizations are involved, and how efficient the carcass recovery and registration chain is. A species that crosses administrative borders on a daily basis is thus monitored inconsistently, with obvious repercussions on the possibility of truly understanding 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, but it represents the foundation for understanding the evolution of a continuously changing population. Only by integrating information relating to numerical consistency, geographical distribution, mortality and related causes of death It is possible to define truly effective, transparent management strategies that are consistent with the conservation obligations set forth by national and international regulations.
The report produced by Io non ho paura del lupo APS and sent today to all interested bodies, including the Ministry of 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 for 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 needs to be done."