Monday 10 December 2018, at the headquarters of Abruzzo region of Viale Bovio in Avezzano in the "Filomena Delli Castelli" room, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed for the monitoring, management and conservation of fauna in the Abruzzo region, with particular regard to the Marsican brown bear, but also intended for some species of birds such as woodcock and the rock partridge. This is the first signed in Italy, between the Abruzzo Region, the Abruzzo National Park, Lazio and Molise, the Majella National Park, the Sirente-Velino Regional Park, the Monte Genzana Alto Gizio Regional Reserves, the WWF Oasis of the Sagittario Gorges, Zompo lo Schioppo, the National Body of Italian Dog lovers and the ATCs "Avezzano", "Roveto Carseolano" and "Sulmona".
In particular, aimed at the Marsican bear, the project involves ISPRA and the “La Sapienza” University of Rome. The objectives of the protocol include the retrieval of specific data for the conservation and management of fauna, as well as the coordination of the activities necessary to verify the impact that the different hunting methods for wild boar produce on the Marsican brown bear. The direct collaboration ofENCI, which is part of the most relevant aspects, concerns, precisely, the enhancement of training and specialization opportunities of the canine units, also through the strengthening of the possibilities for the realization of zootechnical checks, patents and qualifications in technically and ecologically complex contexts, for the formation of specialized units, (dog-handler binomials) aimed at monitoring the fauna in the territories that extend outside the protected areas.
"Considering that the intent to safeguard the Marsican bear is a theme of the entire community ..", underlines the President Dino Muto"..The possibility of being able to provide the contribution of our technicians, share the know-how so that the canine units can support institutions and universities with any useful action for the protection of this and other species, represents a very important goal for us. I am convinced that the involvement of ENCI and the contribution of specialized dog units it will help to increase the effectiveness of monitoring actions ". With a view to enhancing and protecting biodiversity, the synergies enshrined in this protocol appear to be a good omen as a virtuous example of collaboration and sharing of high values and relevant objectives.