Following the progressive spontaneous process of recolonization of the wolf over the Alps, with subjects coming from both the West and the Eastern Dinaric area, the species is currently present on the regional territory in various alpine and pre-alpine areas, in the high plain of Pordenone and is in further expansion. This phenomenon was essentially favored by three factors: the abandonment of mountain and marginal areas by man; the increase of natural prey, in particular ungulates, and the introduction, starting from the seventies, of protection rules at EU and national level.
Il Regional Forestry Corps highlights that the presence of the wolf, which reappeared in the region in 2013 after almost a century of absence, arouses interest, curiosity and in some cases concern above all for predation on wild and domestic animals and for the fear that it could also pose a danger to man. The wolf is a symbolic and evocative species that does not leave indifferent, both in a positive and negative sense, and for this reason it often occupies the pages of traditional media and is the absolute protagonist of social media. In general, information and public opinion tend to be biased on two opposite sides, for or against the presence of the wolf, a phenomenon that does not help to face the problem with the necessary objectivity.
Unfortunately, sometimes the information conveyed by these means of communication is incorrect and above all, often, are not verified consulting the competent regional authorities, engaged for years in the management of this phenomenon. The interactions between the wolf and livestock farming have always been the main source of conflict between the species and anthropogenic activities. The regional administration operates in this regard providing contributions for both prevention and compensation for damages, in order to prevent attacks and support the work of farmers who operate in particular in the mountains and in the most marginal inland areas.
To obtain compensation it is necessary assess whether the death of a pet is attributable to the action of the wolf or to other causes, through a careful analysis on the basis of precise and consolidated technical-scientific criteria, applied by the staff of the Regional Forestry Corps. The Region, in collaboration with the University of Udine, the Forestry Police and many associations has been implementing wolf monitoring as part of the National Plan since 2014. The competent offices also collect and verify the reports from citizens, by hunters and hikers. These data are very important because they help to trace the distribution of the species and to better understand its ecology and movements on the territory.
Finally, the return of the wolf also brought with it natural fears among the population. Although there are no recent scientifically proven data aggression or injury to man by the wolf, the latter is in any case a potentially dangerous species so it is advisable to adopt a series of precautions, for example related to the management of pets, the management of organic waste and foraging. These topics are addressed and discussed during public meetings organized on the territory by the Region or at the request of local administrations, which are facing the reappearance of the wolf for the first time.