A significant drop
The question presented by the Rassemblement Valdôtain group in the council meeting of 3 April 2024 brought attention to the protection of the roe deer and marmot species and to the monitoring of bears. Recalling the Regional wildlife hunting plan 2024, Councilor Dino Planaz highlighted that «there is a significant drop in the number of roe deer and marmots also in light of the uncontrolled increase in many predators which, moreover, are not managed in such a way as to guarantee a valid census. As regards the worrying decrease in the number of marmots, it also appears that this cannot be attributed to hunting activity, given the rigorous regulations that prohibit their hunting. We would like to know the intentions for the protection of these two species; the actions that will be undertaken regarding the possible expansion of the bear on our territory, foreseen in the Wildlife Plan, since, currently, no monitoring or containment measures for this specimen are envisaged.»
Heads registered
«The roe deer population showed a constant increase from 2007 to 2018, with a maximum of 6771 heads registered, while, starting from 2019, due to multiple concomitant causes, including the presence of the wolf, a sudden demographic decline was noted which led the number of roe deer to stabilize at around 4000 heads – said the Councilor for Natural Resources, Marco Carrel -. In the near future, the preparation of annual withdrawal plans must therefore be characterized by a prudential approach. Marmot counts have been carried out since 2003 and, in the period taken into consideration for the revision of the hunting plan, censuses were carried out by the Forestry Corps in 13 sample areas, at least once a year using the direct observation methodology. In the period 2003-2022, 1045 specimens were recorded and there is no evidence of direct observations of predation.
Wolf management
To date, the presence of the bear has not been detected in our region, however in past years there have been some confirmed sightings in the Piedmont valleys of the Biella area. The monitoring network currently present in the area for the management of the wolf also allows us to identify the possible presence of the bear. The Department's offices keep constantly updated on what is happening in other regions: I have personally discussed this issue several times with my colleague from the Province of Trento, who has encountered many difficulties in managing the cases highlighted by the media. In the event that the presence of one or more bear specimens is identified, we will have to refer to the current legislation which, given recent developments, is evolving.»
The next hunting fauna plan
«The roe deer and marmot species are affected by the presence of predators – replied Councilor Planaz -: the number of roe deer had reached a more than satisfactory number, but today, of all the ungulates we have in our territory, it is certainly the weakest. It would be important to delve deeper into the topic of the next regional wildlife plan in the Council Commission, in order to have data and be able to provide indications as well. In fact, it would be appropriate to approve a document that provides answers both in terms of animal protection and the correct management of hunting activity, an activity that represents an important tradition in our region and is a way to monitor all the species existing in our territory. » (source: Valle d'Aosta Region).
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