The sentence
The Regional Administrative Court of Justice (TRGA) of Trento, with sentence no. 163 of 28 October 2025, rejected the appeal presented by animal rights associations against the decree of the Autonomous Province of Trento which authorised the removal through culling of a maximum of two specimens of wolves (Canis lupus).
The crucial role of ISPRA in supporting the decision
The TRGA's decision to reject the appeal was based largely on the validity of the technical opinion expressed by the Italian National Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA). The Panel recognized that the contested provision, and ISPRA's underlying opinion, are the expression of broad administrative discretion based on technical assessments that do not present aspects of gross unreasonableness. ISPRA played a central role in the investigation, providing a preliminary favorable opinion and justifying the existence of the necessary conditions for abatement, as required by Article 16 of Directive 92/43/EEC.
Two serious damage events
ISPRA issued its central opinion on September 1, 2025, following two short-term serious damage events that occurred on August 11 and 13, 2025, at Malga Boldera in Lessinia. It stated, with adequate justification, that all three conditions for the removal of wolves were met. The Institute recognized a pattern of damage that, overall, was even higher than the level highlighted in the preliminary report. ISPRA specifically identified the Municipality of Ala, where Malga Boldera is located, as an area subject to "chronic wolf damage" (one of six "hotspot" municipalities), allowing the application of the chronic serious damage criterion.
Guard dogs
Regarding the impossibility of other viable solutions, ISPRA highlighted the current impossibility of using guard dogs for protection due to the specific breeding conditions in Lessinia (a consortium with a single fence and animals belonging to different owners, making it difficult to maintain a pack of dogs). Furthermore, ISPRA noted that the prevention measures implemented at Malga Boldera, including acoustic and luminous deterrents and electric fences with voltages exceeding the minimum limit (3000V), had not prevented wolves from climbing over the barriers. Finally, ISPRA confirmed that the removal of (up to) two individuals will not impact the conservation of the wolf population in the province in 2025. The measure, although deemed appropriate and necessary, was also accompanied by the recommendation to carry out the culls in the immediate vicinity of the predation site to target the responsible pack and to ensure careful monitoring of the effects of the removal on the dynamics of the wolf nucleus and on the reduction of predation (source: AB – Agrivenatoria Biodiversitalia).
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