The episode in Lecco
Last week, in Pasturo (Lecco), in the heart of Valsassina, there was an attack by a wolf, or herd of wolves, to the detriment of a mountain farm. The episode, which shocked the local community, involved a 23-year-old pregnant mare, attacked in the enclosure where several horses of the farm live. The incident occurred in an isolated area, but only 200 meters from the owner's home, who noticed what had happened around midday. The mare, elderly and in an advanced state of pregnancy, remained behind the other animals who, as often happens in groups, had huddled together to protect themselves. She, however, was more fragile and was attacked. Despite her serious injuries, she was not killed, perhaps also thanks to the intervention of the other horses. However, the consequences were severe.
A blow to the heart
“The damage is enormous, but it is not only economic. It is a blow to the heart - said the owner, who grew up with that animal, which has always been present on the farm. We become attached to animals. We treat them, we look after them, we help them give birth, we spend entire days with them. They are not simply livestock: they are part of our life. She is part of our family”. The mare, seriously injured on one leg, with the removal of entire muscle groups, has already required huge expenses in veterinary care, but the owner does not intend to put her down in the hope that she can still give birth to the foal. A choice dictated not only by the desire to save the animal, but also by the deep bond built over the years. The emotional value in this case far exceeds the economic one.
Wolves are no longer afraid of humans
Meanwhile, in Morterone, where the farmer takes his heifers to pasture, packs of wolves of about 7 specimens have been spotted, although some people have spoken of up to 12 specimens. “Every day we see them roaming around. Taking animals to pasture has become a huge risk. Wolves are no longer afraid of humans, of cars, they are increasingly approaching residential areas”. The problem of the increasingly massive presence of wolves in the Alpine and pre-Alpine areas is becoming a subject of debate even among experts. Lorena Miele, biologist and vice president of Cia Lombardia, launched a heartfelt appeal: “The wolf is no longer an endangered species. On the contrary, it is expanding exponentially and is becoming a problematic species. We can no longer stand by and watch. A serious intervention of containment is needed. When a species grows too much, it creates imbalances and damage. And we are no longer just talking about animal predation: there is a growing risk for people too. The historical archives are full of cases of fatal attacks by wolves. We cannot wait for it to happen again.”
Sleepless nights, injured animals and open wounds
“Mountain agriculture - continues the vice president of Cia Lombardia - cannot sustain itself for long in these conditions. If we do not intervene, we risk abandoning the pastures, the loss of the mountain landscape and entire ecosystems. High-altitude meadows are essential for biodiversity, but if animals can no longer graze, we will lose them. The economic and social damage is enormous: companies forced to close, people left without work, territories that are depopulated. Compensation is not enough: it does not compensate for the loss of the production cycle, of time, of serenity.” “To contain the phenomenon, concrete measures are needed: management, control and targeted culling. It is not a question of extermination, but of managing the natural balance. A wolf is in excess when its impact is so strong that it brings entire communities to their knees. Coexistence is only possible if the risk tends to zero.” Concludes Dr. Miele. In the meantime, farmers and families like that of Pasturo continue to live with fear. A fear that is not only made of numbers and statistics, but of sleepless nights, wounded animals, and wounds that remain open even in the souls of those who have chosen to live in the mountains, cultivating and raising with love.
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