The return of the wolf to the Mantua area
In recent years the Mantua territory The European Union has been affected by the return of the wolf (Canis lupus), a species that is progressively recolonizing large portions of continental Europe. The presence of the species in the lowlands is of particular ecological importance, as it demonstrates the wolf's ability to adapt even to complex and highly anthropized environmental contexts. Within the SCI IT20B0012, the "Complesso Morenico di Castellaro Lagusello" Nature Reserve, and the surrounding areas, a stable breeding population has been confirmed, systematically monitored from April to December 2025.
The study area
The monitoring area includes the "Castellaro Lagusello Morenic Complex" Nature Reserve, covering approximately 139 hectares and located in the municipalities of Monzambano and Cavriana, the SCI IT20B0012, and surrounding areas. The territory is characterized by an environmental mosaic of high naturalistic value, including lakeside wetlands and reed beds, mesophilous woodlands and thermophilous oak forests, dry hillside grasslands, and traditional agricultural environments. This heterogeneity, typical of the inter-moraine basin of the Garda morainic amphitheater, fosters rich biodiversity and creates ideal conditions for the presence of a large territorial mammal such as the wolf.
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Monitoring Methodology
Monitoring activities were conducted according to shared national protocols, which classify data based on the level of certainty (certain data – C1; data confirmed by an expert – C2). The approach adopted integrated the collection of point reports, sample walks, and video camera trapping. Collecting reports allowed us to verify and archive direct and indirect observations of the species, building a structured database to support monitoring and in-depth analysis. The sample walks, conducted on a regular basis, allowed for the systematic detection of signs of presence, such as markings and food debris. Video camera trapping, conducted using seven active devices for a total of 1.974 days of operation, was the primary data acquisition tool, allowing for objective documentation of presence, group composition, trends, and behavior, while minimizing direct disturbance to the animals.
General monitoring results
During the period under review, a total of 443 signs of presence were collected, of which 92% were classified as certain data and 8% as data confirmed by an expert. Almost all of the information (approximately 98%) comes from systematic monitoring activities, confirming the effectiveness of the implemented protocol. The seasonal trend of the surveys shows an increase in the summer months, consistent with the period of greatest mobility of the young and the frequenting of areas used by the family nucleus during the reproductive period.
