Traces of the presence of the wolf have been detected in many locations in Upper Piedmont, in the Verbano Cusio Ossola area. Last April 30th is wolf monitoring for the 2023-24 biological year has been completed. This is an activity carried out within the framework of LIFE WOLFALPS EU project, which will provide an updated estimate of the distribution area and size of the wolf population in the Italian Alps. The LIFE WOLFALPS EU project will end on September 30th 2024 and the monitoring results will be illustrated in the final report.
Between November and April, 70 operators belonging to the Provincial Police, Forestry Carabinieri, Park Rangers and technical staff of the Management Body of the Ossola Protected Areas and the Val Grande National ParkAlpine Rescue of the Guardia di Finanza, Gamekeepers of the Val Formazza Wildlife Company and volunteers of the Large Carnivores Group of the CAI, as well as technicians and hunters of the Alpine Districts VCO1, VCO2 and VCO3, have traveled the network of 54 transects identified in the provincial territory and managed 67 stations in which camera traps were activated. The transects were crossed 271 times, for a total length of 1908 km, and allowed the detection of 223 biological samples and 81.5 km of snow slopes, while the camera traps took over 400 videos or photos depicting wolves.
WWF: “Coexistence between man and wolf is possible”
The presence of the wolf has been ascertained in the municipalities of Antrona Schieranco, Arola, Aurano, Baceno, Bannio Anzino, Baveno, Beura-Cardezza, Bognanco Borgomezzavalle, Calasca Castiglione, Caprice, Casale Corte Cerro, Cavaglio Spoccia, Ceppo Morelli, Cesara, Cossogno, Craveggia, Crevoladossola, Crodo, Cursolo Orasso, Domodossola, Druogno, Falmenta, Formazza, Gurro, Intragna, Loreglia, Macugnaga, Madonna del Sasso, Malesco, Masera, Miazzina, Montecrestese, Montescheno, Nonio, Ornavasso, Pieve Vergonte, Premia, Quarna sotto , Re, Santa Maria Maggiore, Stresa, Toceno, Trasquera, Trontano, Valstrona, Vanzone with San Carlo, Varzo and Villadossola. In most cases the simultaneous presence of multiple individuals was ascertained, with a maximum of 9 specimens filmed in the Bognanco valley. A part of the biological samples was sent to the laboratory which will carry out the genetic analyses, which are essential to provide an updated estimate of the number of family units present in the area.
The lynx also “appears” from the monitoring of the wolf in the Ossola area
