This report on what we observed in 2022 and the first quarter of 2023 is the continuation of the previous report (2018-2021) and describes, herd by herd in chronological order, the main events detected. The territory monitored in the Taro valley, in the Parma Apennines, is characterized by a high forest cover and a low anthropic presence and consists of two different non-adjacent areas between them: the main one has an extension of about 100 Km2 and the secondary one about 16 Km2. The breadth of the investigated areas has remained the same compared to past years.
We collected data mainly by monitoring recurrent marking sites, areas adjacent to rendezvous areas to minimize disturbance and in case of carcass findings. We leave the photo-video equipment positioned for as long as possible in the same sites to cover the investigated areas in a continuous and homogeneous way.
In the event of reports (predations, puppy sightings) we place the photo-video equipment opportunistically even outside the distribution areas.
With this method we acquire many videos during which the wolves are stationed in front of the photo-video traps allowing us to identify phenotypic characteristics that favor the recognition of the dominant individuals of the different nuclei and/or associated wolves, when we manage to identify particular characteristics (signs) such to allow its recognition.
Filming the same couple in the same places for a long time generally allows us to recognize the wolves with good certainty, to estimate the numerical consistency of the nucleus when other individuals are associated with the couple, to notice any substitutions of the dominants or to notice if the site observed is visited by other couples or individuals.
In reality this method presents some difficulties, the main one, unfortunately, is represented by theft and/or tampering of the equipment which, in addition to the economic and data loss, influences the choices of the most suitable placements, because the wolves tend to move on roads, dirt roads and carriageways just like people. Another difficulty encountered concerns recognition in some cases: unless wolves have evident particular characteristics (short tail, folded ears, scars, anomalies or other evident particular signs), wolf individuals are generally similar to each other. The report considers the data collected throughout the year 2022 up to March 2023 and is the result of field work, as well as a great effort in analyzing the 2098 videos of wolves acquired, necessary to reconstruct dynamics , replacements, appearances of new couples, which characterized the period.
For the purpose of reading we specify that the monitoring activity is based on the interpretation of the data collected through the acquisition of videos from photo-video traps, direct observations and detection of signs of presence, for this it is necessary to read this text as a story of what we have learned and deduced during the aforementioned period, with limited means and without the aid of other sampling methods attributable to the solidity of a scientific research project.
Herd of Blueberry
During the first months of 2022 the family nucleus is always made up of the same dominant couple renamed Chiara and LoScuro and, let's assume, by at least 3 of the 4 puppies born in 2021. The young wolves have bald patches, they are probably suffering from mange.
In March, in the same areas frequented by the family nucleus, a dog dies with symptoms of poisoning, and the dominant female, Chiara, suddenly disappears in the days immediately following. Although we have no certainties about what happened to the she-wolf, we hypothesize that the two episodes are somehow connected and that Chiara also died of poisoning.
Last recovery of Chiara in March - Video Daniel Ecotti
After a fortnight after Chiara's disappearance, we record a passage of LoScuro associated with a female with thick and long hair with territorial marking attitudes and for this reason recognizable with respect to the other associated individuals who present after-effects of mange infestation with short and sparse hair , several passages of the same she-wolf, apparently alone, always with territorial attitudes, and other passages of LoScuro associated with another female with mange symptoms, also with dominant and territorial attitudes. Let's assume, given the shots taken during the winter of puppies with mange, that the she-wolf with the bald tail is one of those puppies.
From the alternation of passages of one and the other female, both with territorial and dominant attitudes, recorded during the spring and summer months, the roles between the two wolves are probably being re-established in the family nucleus, which will see one of the two become a reproducer .
Through some nocturnal shots we verify that the thick-haired she-wolf, renamed Solitary, due to the numerous passages in which she marks the territory alone, has a dull eye, the eye problem could have been caused by a wound or an infection and , as experienced in the past for other individuals, could be temporary or permanent.
The night lights of the photo video traps emit an infrared light beam. The eyes of wolves, like those of many other domestic and wild animals, have a refractive membrane (tapetum lucidum) located behind the retina, which reflects light rays, increasing the amount of light captured by the retina and allowing them excellent night vision. . For this reason the eyes in night videos shine and appear to be lit with light.
Alternation of passages of the two females with dominant and territorial attitudes – Video Daniel Ecotti
During the summer we ascertain that Chiara's disappearance, which took place in March during the reproductive period, caused the Blueberry herd to fail to reproduce, and we continue to record passages where LoScuro is associated with both females who maintain territorial attitudes.
Starting from October it seems that the hierarchies have been definitively established and that the dominant couple is made up of LoScuro and Solitaria. Given the loss of the reproductive female at the beginning of the year, it was not obvious that the Blueberry herd would be able to maintain its territoriality.
In autumn we resume on two different occasions one month apart the incursions of the Torletto herd followed by some of the puppies. The two nucleuses have adjacent territories and sometimes it happens to record territorial overlapping and overlapping between neighboring herds. In the following months we have not recorded other raids, so we assume that they were occasional episodes.
Also during the autumn period we see that both eyes of Solitaria, the new dominant female, are "switched off" and as we will verify in the following period the handicap will turn out to be permanent for both eyes. We assume that the she-wolf has impaired night vision to which she has nevertheless been able to adjust and that she has not compromised her role.
Lonely with both eyes off – Video Daniele Ecotti
Immediately after the first incursion of the Torletto herd, we recorded the presence of an adult male with dominant and territorial attitudes associated with Solitaria and LoScuro.
In the following months we regularly resume passages in which all three wolves have dominance attitudes, with contemporary territorial marking: in families it is generally only the reproductive couple who, through the deposition of excrement and urine, often followed by vigorous scratching, mark their territory in strategic places to communicate to other wolves and adjacent packs that that specific place is their home and thus avoid encounters with wolves outside your household, usually wolves associated with breeding pairs abstain from marking the territory and carry their tails downwards.
On this new male, we are not sure who he is, we think it is probable that he is an individual already associated with the family unit, probably a puppy from 2020 or 2021 but it could also be a foreign wolf accepted/tolerated by the couple. The newcomer's attitude could be interpreted both as a contribution to highlighting the territoriality of the family nucleus (contribution of markings by other sexually mature individuals beyond the dominant couple) or an attempt at hierarchical climbing. Starting from January LoScuro loses a lot of hair, presumably due to scabies and is easily recognizable compared to the new male.
Simultaneous markings of the three wolves LoScuro – Solitary – “New male” – Video Daniele Ecotti
Since February, after 3 months of regular filming of the trio, we have no longer recorded the presence of the "new" male associated with the couple who, between February and March, tends to isolate himself for the reproductive period and push other members of the family away.
Also starting from January, we begin to record the presence of a new couple with attitudes of dominance and territorial marking on the same sites frequented by Solitaria and LoScuro.
La new pair 1 is easily recognizable from the pair of the Blueberry herd: LoScuro has, in fact, symptoms of mange infestation with a hairless tail, Lonely, both eyes dull, a swelling under the belly and the tail slightly carried to the right, while the the female belonging to the new pair has thick hair and a dark color almost without a facial mask and the male of the new pair has thick hair and a very marked and extensive facial mask.
We are registering the presence of the new pair 1 continuously within the territory which, except for some incursions by the adjacent Torletto herd, has been occupied exclusively by the Mirtillo herd since 2020.
Chiara and LoScuro and "New couple 1" on various marking sites - Video Daniele Ecotti
From March another new couple (new pair 2) begins to frequent the area by tagging on the same sites as Solitaria and LoScuro and della new pair 1.
The two wolves are recognizable by the Blueberry pack and by the new pair 1: in fact, the male has a little extended facial mask and a slightly arched tail and the female an extended facial mask.
Although we have recorded several videos of both new couples, the locations are very recognizable for this reason to show the differences between the individuals we preferred to use cropped still images.
The two new couples compared
In the investigated area we have never filmed these wolves, it could be recently formed couples or already consolidated couples with adjacent territories that we did not intercept during 2022. The high frequency with which we are recording the passages in the territory of the Blueberry herd leads us to hypothesize that the new pairs are trying to take over an already occupied territory and highlight, compared to what has been observed, a great dynamism.
The lack of reproduction and the alternation of individuals associated with the pair observed in the Blueberry herd makes it difficult to estimate their numerical consistency. We believe it is more correct, despite the presence of two different individuals associated with the couple in different periods, to estimate the consistency of the nucleus with the maximum number of individuals taken together, which is 3.
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Italian Greyhound Puppies 0
Minimum core consistency 3
Herd of Torletto
The couple is always made up of Pino, the dominant male who replaced Codino in 2021, and the female Sottiletta. In their territory we continue to film many incursions by two of the three adjacent packs: Knights to the south and Bandits to the north, both far more numerous than the Torletto couple, who in 2022 not only managed to get away with avoiding intraspecific clashes, but after 5 years, during which we did not register the presence of puppies, she finally reproduced successfully.
Territorial incursions of adjacent packs – Video Daniele Ecotti
From the numerous shots of Sottiletta with evident signs of lactation we understand that the she-wolf is breastfeeding and finally during the summer we ascertain the presence of 5 puppies. The puppies appear healthy and fit, the couple even without breeding aids are doing very well. One of the pups is completely tailless, presumably due to trauma.
The puppies of the Torletto herd – Video Daniele Ecotti
In September one of the puppies dies from an investment, it was not possible to recover the carcass by the competent authorities because within a few hours of the report it was made to disappear.
From the images recorded in the following months we verify that the four puppies have become three. We do not know the reasons for the lack of the second puppy but we also assume that he died as he was never taken back.
Of the three remaining puppies, one has an obvious problem with a hind leg, which we assume was caused by some kind of trauma, but in the following months the puppy was able to move well again, demonstrating the extraordinary resilience of this species.
Puppy video with trauma associated with its family nucleus – Video Daniele Ecotti
Between October and November, the Torletto herd also made some territorial incursions to the west in the territory of the adjacent Mirtillo herd.
Territorial incursion of the Torletto herd with associated one of the puppies in the territory of the Mirtillo herd – Video Daniele Ecotti
From January we resume the presence of another new couple of wolves who begin to frequent the southern part of the territory, the same one where we record the incursions of the pack of the Knights.
The new pair initially lingers for a long time to inspect the marking sites and then in turn assumes, in particular the female, territorial and dominant attitudes with marking of the site.
Let's assume that we are dealing with a couple in formation made up of young individuals who are trying to establish themselves territorially.
New couple in the territory of the Torletto herd – Video Daniele Ecotti
Puppies 5
Minimum core size 5
Herd of The Knights
Throughout 2022 the couple continues to be composed of Vento and Bufera and we continue to record numerous incursions into the adjacent territory of the Torletto pack. At the same time, the number of individuals in the household, which was 2021 at the end of 11, is 2022 individuals at the beginning of 4.
Also in this nucleus, during the spring we record the marking of a female at the same time as that of the pair. We ascertain the reproduction thanks to the footage of Bufera with evident signs of breastfeeding, the she-wolf also has a problem with her right hind leg from which, as we will verify in the following months, she will recover.
Simultaneous marking of a female associated with Vento and Bufera – Video Daniele Ecotti
Unfortunately due to the impervious and restricted area and above all in order not to disturb, we were not able to take the puppies back until October, when the couple has two of them in tow, since this will also be confirmed by the shootings of the following months. From the images acquired, the components of the nucleus appear to be 5 and are composed of the dominant couple, an adult female and two young born in 2022.
Minimum ascertained consistency of the herd of I Cavalieri – Video Daniele Ecotti
During the winter of 2023 we ascertain that the male Vento, recognizable by the disjointed and not very extensive facial mask, was replaced by a new wolf, which instead has a much more extensive facial mask.
In addition to the two cubs associated with the couple, we continue to shoot a female, probably the same shot in spring, which marks the territory simultaneously with the two dominants. Filming of the simultaneous markings also took place during the reproductive period, a moment during which the dominant couple generally drives away the other wolves and tends to isolate themselves from the rest of the pack. The presence of two dominant females at this time of year deserves attention as there may be a possibility that the male has mated with both females. (Dr. Luigi Molinari pers. com.)
Simultaneous marking - Video Daniel Ecotti
Puppies 2
Minimum core size 5
Pack of The Bandits
During the first months of 2022 the herd appears to be composed of the dominant couple, formed by the male Shadow and the female Scheggia, which we resume associated with an individual, presumably the puppy born the previous year with still symptoms of mange infestation.
Unlike 2021, during 2022, as far as we have observed, the Torletto herd stopped frequenting the area.
The Bandits in April 2022 - Video Daniel Ecotti
Unfortunately in this part of the range during 2022 we suffered several thefts of our equipment, which made it impossible for us to better understand the use of the territory by the wolves of this pack, but it still allowed us to ascertain their reproduction when June the female, Scheggia, has swollen udders, a sign of suckling.
Signs of lactation – Video Daniele Ecotti
From September, by relocating some photo-video traps in the territory of the Torletto herd in positions adjacent to the area used by the I Cavalieri herd, as well as regularly filming Pino and Sottiletta, in October we record the passage of Scheggia and Ombra associated with the puppies. In addition to the presence of at least 5 puppies, in the same period we also recorded the presence of another individual associated with the family nucleus, whose minimum estimated size is 8 individuals.
Bandits with puppies – Video Daniele Ecotti
In this portion of the territory until December we continue to record territorial overlaps of the two adjacent nucleuses.
Overlaps between the Torletto herd and I Banditi – Video Daniele Ecotti
Puppies 5
Minimum core size 8
Herd of the Reserve
At the beginning of 2022 the reproductive nucleus appears to be composed of at least 6 individuals, the couple is always made up of LaPina, the dominant female since 2017, and we assume from the male Punto. In fact, we are not certain that it is the same individual as the previous year since the wolf does not have any particular phenotypic characteristics, apart from the disjointed facial mask (two white knobs on the cheeks), which other individuals in the family unit also have.
Dominant male (Point?) and very similar individual – Video Daniele Ecotti
During the summer we verify the reproduction thanks to some videos in which LaPina shows signs of breastfeeding and we verify that the nucleus is composed of at least 5 individuals excluding the puppies.
Signs of breastfeeding and consistency of at least 5 individuals – Video Daniele Ecotti
At the end of summer, through the images acquired with photo-video traps, we resume the presence of at least two puppies and in the first days of October, thanks to observations made at night, we are able to observe the presence of 5 puppies and 5 adults.
The pack made up of 5 puppies and 5 adults – Video Mario Bogliolo
From some direct sightings and shots taken with photo and video traps, some of the puppies show slight phenotypic anomalies that we had never observed in previous litters, another reason why we hypothesize that the dominant male may have changed.
Puppies with slight phenotypic anomalies – Video Daniele Ecotti
Puppies 5
Minimum core size 10
Herd of Ljubljana
In this part of the area, it is unfortunately difficult to collect data on the presence of wolves, because it is very subject to theft of equipment which, despite the many precautions taken, we continued to suffer even during 2022.
Despite the difficulties, we were able to ascertain the reproduction of the reproductive nucleus, first observing the female in an evident state of pregnancy and subsequently in lactation.
The dominant couple with the female first in pregnancy and then in lactation – Video Daniela Ferrari
Another fact that we have managed to collect concerns the minimum consistency of the reproductive nucleus, which for 2022 appears to be 6 individuals taken at the same time.
Minimum consistency verified – Video Daniela Ferrari
core consistency 6
Puppies: number not detected
Pack of the Nail
The herd has the territory adjacent to that of Ljubljana and unfortunately, again due to the numerous thefts and the great difficulties encountered in positioning the photo-video equipment, we managed to acquire little data. We intercepted some passages of the couple on the same sites used in 2021. We believe it is quite probable that the male has been replaced, in fact Yawn had one "off" eye. We have not collected data to be able to ascertain the reproduction and we have always taken only the couple or single individuals, therefore the minimum number ascertained is 2 individuals.
The couple marks the territory – Video Daniela Ferrari
Puppies: reproduction not ascertained and number not detected
Minimum core size 2
More wolves
In addition to the reproductive pairs and associated individuals, our photo-video traps often record passages of single wolves, which in some cases, due to phenotypic characteristics and a very fearful attitude, we assume to be individuals in dispersion or "floaters", (single individuals with a very broad trying to avoid encounters with territorial wolves). Of course, based exclusively on phenotypic recognition, it is not possible to have any certainty and therefore it is impossible to quantify the passages of any non-territorial individuals within the ranges, with the exception of two different wolves, equipped with radio collars that we filmed during 2022 not associated with the herds monitored. We immediately reported the sightings and the researchers confirmed that the two individuals, two females, used a very large territory during the period in which they were filmed. (Dr. Luigi Molinari pers. com.)
The distances as the crow flies from the place where the two wolves were released compared to the one where they were filmed are 20 km and 7,5 km.
The two radio-collared wolves – Video Daniele Ecotti
Conclusions
The period was characterized by marked dynamism, both due to some changes in dominant individuals and the identification of 3 new pairs which, starting from the first quarter of 2023, began to frequent the main monitored area on an ongoing basis which has a extension of 100 km2.
With the exception of the Torletto herd, which has its home range entirely within the main investigated area, we believe it more than plausible that the other nuclei have their respective territories that also extend outside it. Despite this, the presence of 7 packs and the entry of 3 new pairs in a territory of this extension is a fact that we believe could be significant. It will be verified over time if the new pairs will continue to frequent the range, if they will replace or add to nuclei already present, or if, as they have appeared, we will stop intercepting them.
We believe, in any case, that this is an important fact to consider, which in some way confirms a sensation: very probably due to a set of factors such as saturation of the territories, abundant food availability, intraspecific competition, anthropic pressure, we are witnessing significant changes, which indicate, compared to the past, a further increase in the density of wolves and a decrease in the size of the individual territories.
Numerical consistency of reproductive nuclei 2016-2022
The graph shows the minimum consistency ascertained in the investigated areas of the reproductive nucleuses year by year and we can see how, with the exception of the herd of the Reserve, which has a good part of its territory within a protected area, the numerical consistency of the other herds has been subject to greater numerical fluctuations over the years.
During 2022, from the information in our possession in the surrounding areas and areas, only one dead wolf individual was detected (puppy of the Torletto pack), which we believe to be an underestimation compared to reality. The predations on domestic animals, as in the past, continued to represent sporadic episodes. It should be specified that the territory is characterized by a low number of grazing animals, represented almost exclusively by cattle and horses during the spring and summer months.
Finally, a big thank you goes to our volunteers who, with great commitment and passion, have contributed to the management of the photo-video traps and to the collection of data necessary to produce this report, to Doctor Luigi Molinari for his availability and for the information provided and to scientific committee of the association to review the report.
The complete data is available to Institutions and Researchers who request it.
Edited by Daniele Ecotti