WOLF MONITORING IN CIRCEO FOREST

WOLF MONITORING IN CIRCEO FOREST 

In 2019, an opportunistic video-trapping activity was launched in the Circeo State Forest, which allowed the presence of wolf individuals to be detected in the area managed by the Carabinieri Biodiversity Department in Fogliano (LT) and included in the Circeo National Park. These indications brought to light the need to precisely define the presence of the predator through a targeted survey.

The monitoring activities were carried out from June to September 2020 in the territory of the State Forest and in the neighbouring areas included in the National Park, in agreement with the Park Authority with the aims of

(1) assessing the presence of the wolf in the Forest and neighbouring areas;

(2) determine the minimum number of wolves frequenting the area of the Forest and the National Park; (3) verify any reproduction and movements inside and outside the protected area

(4) to gather basic information on the feeding ecology of the wolf in the area and its relations with potential prey species.

Field activities consisted of

• systematic collection of all biological samples found, for genetical analysis (ISPRA Conservation Genetics Laboratory);
• visual assessment of indigestible residues in the scats;
• monitoring the presence of wolves by means of video trapping and induced howling (wolf howling);
• training for the staff of the Carabinieri Biodiversity Department in Fogliano;
• preparation of actions for communicating the presence of the wolf to visitors to the protected area and to the local population.

For further information

Fazzi P., Lucchesi M., Alari G., Salvatori V. (2020). Indagine conoscitiva sulla presenza del lupo (Canis lupus) nella Foresta Demaniale del Circeo e nelle aree limitrofe comprese nel Parco Nazionale del Circeo. Relazione finale Dicembre 2020. Istituto di Ecologia Applicata, Roma.