Italy's once-threatened wolf
population is thriving and has grown to an estimated 3,300
animals, according to a study coordinated by the ISPRA
environmental agency.
The report said around 950 of the wolves live in Alpine areas
while 2,400 are spread out along the rest of the Italian
peninsula.
"It is possible to say that the species occupies almost all of
the environments that are suitable for it" in Italy, the study
said.
"The wolf population has grown everywhere, although the increase
in the Alps is more significant".
Some 3,000 people, including forest guards, police officers and
volunteers from local and national associations, worked on the
study.
Experts used images take by "photo-traps' and other forms of
evidence, such as droppings, the carcasses of prey and the
remains of 171 dead wolves to make the estimate of the
population.
Giampiero Sammuri, the president of the Federparchi federation
bringing together agencies that run national parks and nature
reserves, said the study highlighted the success of the
conservation efforts conducted in recent decades and proved that
the species "is not longer endangered" here.
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