A recent scientific report presented by Colonel Pier Luigi Fedele of the Carabinieri Forestali in Parma highlights the essential role of wolves in maintaining wildlife balance. The report, discussed during a provincial public safety committee meeting on December 18, 2024, underscores how wolves help control populations of wild boars, deer, and other species that can cause serious traffic accidents and agricultural damage.
Wolves also contribute to reducing the spread of African swine fever by eliminating carcasses. The report notes that the presence of wolves near urban areas is often due to poor waste management and the naive practice of feeding them by some residents. Importantly, there have been no reported attacks on humans in the region.
In cases where wolves approach homes, measures such as capture or sedation may be taken pending further regional and national guidelines. The report also addresses incidents involving hunting dogs, suggesting that attacks may stem from wild boars or learned behavior from wolf packs during hunts.
Furthermore, the report emphasizes that damages caused by wolf predation are fully compensated, and the benefits to agriculture and road safety from wildlife population control outweigh these costs. The Carabinieri's findings have been shared with local municipalities as part of a guide on best practices for coexisting with wolves in agricultural and populated areas, including information on regional funding for anti-predation measures for farmers and breeders.