Levy of wolves
The Provincial Law on Protected Grazing Areas and Measures for Taking Wolves has been in effect since June 15, 2023, and its implementing regulation was approved on August 8 by the Provincial Government of Bolzano. It will enter into force from the day of its publication in the Regional Bulletin. After Rome did not challenge the law, on 4 August 2023, following tough negotiations and the concession to ISPRA of 15 days instead of 10 for its opinion, the most important precondition was created for the provisions on the levy of wolves. “From a legal point of view, the important steps have now been taken to be able to take wolves as well.
Protection areas
The provincial law establishes that in order to allow this, grazing protection areas must be designated, while the implementing regulation governs the modalities of designation of these protection areas”, says the provincial councilor Arnold Schuler, who presented the regulation to the provincial government. The implementing regulation includes the criteria established by the Director of the Forest Division for the designation of pasture protection areas, the methods of reporting the activity of deterrence and removal of the wolf and the methods of monitoring the same.
Sheepdogs and more
Consequently, alpine pastures are designated as pasture protection areas if large-scale fencing, permanent herding with or without dogs or the use of guard dogs is not possible for objective reasons (terrain, technical-economic reasonableness) . This applies, for example, to pastures crossed by hikers, cyclists or game animals: the openings in the fences could be left open. Another criterion is that of shepherds or sheepdogs: a mountain pasture becomes a grazing reserve if there are not at least two shepherds in service and if adequate accommodation is not provided for them. Shepherd dogs also need sheltered housing. If this is not available, the pasture is declared a pasture protection area. Wolves are monitored by the hunting and fishing office in collaboration with hunting agents. Monitoring is planned along various routes: the traces of the wolves (faeces, urine, hair, saliva) are evaluated and typified, sightings and listening to howls are recorded, and there are photographic traps and transmitting stations (source: Province of Bozen).