An episode already seen
It had already happened on October 19th. THE wolves they had come in the middle of the night, killing two goats, wounding three others (all pregnant) and scattering the herd of cattle. This week, the predators returned at dusk. Not just one, but an entire herd, more than half a dozen, that attacked the flock of sheep in front of the stable. A pregnant goat died, another was injured, but it could have been a massacre if the owners, especially the farm's guard dogs, had not intervened. The events did not happen in some remote mountain location, but in Druento, on the Votta family's farm, on the border with the Mandria Park, one of the favorite local destinations for those who love walking and running.
Pastures to be protected
Here, Ferdinando and his sons Michele and Claudio manage a herd of around one hundred cattle and around thirty goats and sheep. They say that there have always been wolves in that area, but not more than one or two. They were containable, it was enough to protect the pastures with fences and dogs. What happened this time, however, was unprecedented and scared everyone: "When we heard the scream of the goats - says Michele Votta - we ran to see and found a wolf two meters away and others six or seven all around. They were there watching us, they were not afraid of the man, they threatened to attack us. There were three of us, we tried to push them away in every way, but they remained there and continued to attack the goats. Only when our dogs arrived did they leave, still remaining to observe us from a distance."
So much bitterness
Michele Votta is saddened not only by the damage suffered, but also by the lack of attention paid by institutions and public opinion to the wolf emergency: "In the best case scenario - says Votta - many think that the problem only concerns farmers, so they can make do. Deep down, there are those who suggest that the problem lies with the farmers themselves, who should not allow themselves to take away living space from the wolves. For their part, politicians have not solved anything so far and, in fact, continue to protect wolves. The fact remains that farmers continue to suffer damage, but sooner or later they won't be the only ones to mourn. The danger of wolves is now under everyone's doorstep. At any moment, I wouldn't be surprised if people were attacked. We don't know how to say it anymore."
Herds in disarray
On this front, the president of Cia Agricoltori delle Alpi, Stefano Rossotto, reiterates the complaint: “The wolf continues to be over-protected, while our herds are in disarray. Shepherds cannot defend themselves, guardian dogs themselves risk being a danger to anyone who comes close to the animals and selective culling is not even taken into consideration. We cannot go forward like this, we know it, in France they have understood it and have organised, in Italy not yet, unfortunately". (Source CIA)