The expert's point of view
In the article published on Gazzettino.it on September 9th (“Wolves come out of the Grave del Piave, the expert: «They are approaching houses because of hunting dogs»”) it is hypothesized that the recent occurrence of episodes of wolves approaching houses and of predation on dogs is to be attributed to the presence of hunting dogs in training, going as far as to hypothesize the need to close hunting in the areas concerned to prevent the phenomenon from getting worse. As always, whatever the theme or problem that wholly or partly concerns the environment, territory and fauna, it seems that the only solution taken into consideration by experts or self-styled experts is to close hunting, a panacea for all ills and a “winning” solution. Federcaccia, through its Studies and Research Office, has sent a note to the Editorial Staff in this regard, asking to have the appropriate right of reply to what was stated in the pages of the newspaper.
Legends created with art
There are in fact some considerations to make in order to try to read objectively what happened and what was reported by the press. First of all, that of the confident wolves is a phenomenon well known in many parts of Italy and Europe, to the point of having created the need to develop ad hoc studies and to finance Life projects with community funds to collect evidence and identify possible solutions. To date, no seasonality has been detected in the episodes of approach to inhabited centers, demonstrating that the dynamics that regulate these movements are of a broader type. What can be read on a local scale could therefore be nothing more than a detailed aspect of a much broader context within which it must be traced, rather than the result of local dynamics. This does not mean that the hypotheses may be unfounded, but neither that the opposite is certain.
Single specimens
There is simply not enough evidence to prove a causal link between the training of hunting dogs (and, in perspective, the conduct of hunting activities) and the movement of wolves towards inhabited centers. To this we must add that, especially when talking about predation on pets, in most cases rather than talking about generalized cases we must refer to individual specimens that can, for opportunistic circumstances, "specialize" in the predation of, for example, dogs or cats. In this case, rather than talking about a widespread phenomenon, we should try to identify, through camera traps, videos and direct observations, the individual specimen responsible, so as to be able to proceed, with the necessary permits, to its capture and removal from the territory. In short, when talking about wildlife management, especially if applied to large predators and in a "human dimension" context, it is not correct to rely on the opinion of individual experts on the territory, but we are called to collect more information in a systematic and scientific way, to formulate hypotheses based on scientific evidence. As in detective novels by authors, the motive of the guilty party is often not the one that is easily assumed from the first pages. And no, resign yourselves: closing the hunt is not the solution to every problem – and there are many – of the environment (source: FIDC).
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