Final conference LIFE WolfAlps Eu: a report

After 5 intense years of work in the field and coordination of activities and actions, the final conference of LIFE WolfAlps EU, organized in Trento from May 17 to 19, marked the milestone of a project that since 2019 has been able to disseminate a heritage of scientific knowledge and informative tools on the subject of coexistence between human activities and wolves in the Alps. A 3-day event focused on the exchange of experiences that involved partners, other European organizations facing similar issues, and the general public to summarize and present the work done. The Alpi Cozie Parks participated with a numerous representation composed of their staff and project's official steward Guides, and presented some of their most impactful initiatives.

The opening remarks were delivered by two important representatives of the European Union, which funded WolfAlps through Life funds. Anita Fassio, from the Climate, Infrastructure, and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA), provided an overview of the results achieved in the field of coexistence between humans and wildlife within EU projects. Following her, Andrea Vettori, from the Directorate-General for Environment of the European Commission, provided useful updates on the wolf species protection policies that are under review.

The presentation of the most concrete and significant results achieved during the LIFE WolfAlps EU took place through thematic sections aimed at disseminating technical knowledge and direct experiences among all partners. Starting point was the significant effort in monitoring that allowed the dissemination of a standardized methodology for data collection and interpretation at the Italian and European levels, in order to provide more accurate and consistent results. For an elusive species like the wolf, any regulatory and management activity must be based on a realistic numerical quantification, made possible today thanks to the significant work carried out within the project.

From a management perspective, the operation of the Wolf Prevention Intervention Unit (WPIU) was illustrated, multidisciplinary teams established by LIFE WolfAlps EU to support the category of shepherds who suffer the most from wolf presence damages. In this context, the Alpi Cozie Protected Areas also intervened with a contribution from park ranger Luca Giunti who presented the work done for the neutralization of wolf-dog hybrids Benny and Godot in the Susa Valley. Also, the results obtained in the context of poaching prevention were significant thanks to the creation of a wide network of anti-poison dog units capable of intervening in the alpine territory to detect toxic baits and baits, which represent the main tool used for wolf elimination. The main challenges and management issues of the wolf were summarized by Piero Genovesi, from the Higher Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), who focused on the critical aspects related to habituated wolves and hybridization, emphasizing the difficulties of operating in a fragmented regulatory and institutional context like the Italian one.

Among the initiatives proposed during the conference by LIFE WolfAlps EU, ample space was devoted to communication and education, which represented a fundamental element of the project to spread the culture of natural conservation. A narrative spread through social media, print media, and the creation of specific educational tools to tell the story of the wolf as a resource for the ecological balance of the alpine environmental heritage, without denying the challenges of coexistence with certain human categories that are most affected by its consequences.

Finally, the conference included a section dedicated to the exchange of experiences with other realities from around the world, especially on the topic of large predators such as lynx and golden jackal, with a look at wolf management in Finland and wildlife globally by a prominent expert like Alexandra Zimmermann from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Particularly interesting was the conference/dialogue involving Luigi Boitani and Douglas Smith, in charge of introducing the wolf to Yellowstone, the first national park established in the world.

To conclude the event, the entire day of Sunday, May 19, was dedicated to practical activities with workshops, demonstrations, performances, screenings, and storytelling. This conference section took place at the Muse in Trento, the science museum where experts, partners, and the general public discussed the wolf theme. The Alpi Cozie Parks participated by organizing a children's workshop led by their official Guides entitled "Wolf in a backpack: be wolves in every sense. A journey through sensory experiences and games to understand how well we can listen to others and nature." Additionally, in the film section, two contributions made by the staff of the Alpi Cozie Protected Areas on the hybrids project and experimental measures to defend an alpine pasture from wolf attacks were screened.