No to emotion
The regional councillor for Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry, Alessandro Beduschi, addresses the issue of reported wolf sightings in Lombardy, noting that the species' presence is now a reality we must reckon with, but one that cannot be addressed superficially or emotionally. "The problem exists and must be handled seriously," clarifies Lombardy Region Councilor for Agriculture Alessandro Beduschi, "but it's crucial to remember that precise regulations and codified procedures exist. Fueling alarmism, reporting to the newspapers before the authorities, or relying on improvised assessments doesn't help either the public or the authorities that must take action."
How to handle sightings
The Lombardy Region has long been committed to monitoring the species and supporting farmers and local communities through prevention, information, and coordinated intervention tools with the police and other relevant authorities. "Proper wolf management," Beduschi continues, "requires up-to-date data, accurate reporting, and compliance with procedures, because only in this way can we distinguish real cases from distorted perceptions and intervene effectively." If you spot a wolf, you should promptly contact the relevant provincial police or, in the Milan area, the Metropolitan City Police. If possible, it's helpful to collect photographic or video material to allow for proper identification of the individual. Alternatively, reports can be sent to Ersaf Lombardia at [email protected] indicating the precise location of the sighting.
Rescue operations
If you find an injured or dead wolf, or if you're involved in a road accident, you must notify the provincial police, the Milan Metropolitan Police, or the Carabinieri Forestry Corps, avoiding any direct intervention on the animal. Rescue operations and health assessments are the exclusive responsibility of the competent authorities and specialized centers operating 24 hours a day. Finally, in the event of livestock predation, the farmer must contact the competent police forces, who will activate the Wolf Prevention Intervention Units (WPIU), specialized teams established by the Lombardy Region to support farmers in preventing damage and managing compensation procedures.
Margins of intervention
The recent downgrading of the wolf's status at the European level also fits into this context. The species remains protected, but the new regulatory framework opens up greater scope for regional intervention, while respecting the limits set at the national level. "This doesn't mean liberalizing hunting," concludes Councilor Beduschi, "but rather more responsibly managing a presence that is now structural and unacceptable in certain contexts, such as urban ones, for the safety of both humans and animals. The wolf must be returned to its designated areas, and this is why a technical discussion is underway between regional governments, ministries, and ISPRA to update data, define more consistent criteria, and develop management tools that can be effectively applied across the region." (Source: Lombardy Region – LNews)
You May Also Like ..
