LIFE M.I.R.C.O. LUPO
The LIFE M.I.R.C.O. LUPO project (LIFE13 NAT/IT/000728) ‘Minimising the impact of dog straying on wolf conservation in Italy’, financed under the EU LIFE+ Programme, started on 1/01/2015 and ended on 31/3/2020. The project involved five partners: the Ente Parco Nazionale dell’Appennino Tosco-Emiliano as the coordinating beneficiary, and the Ente Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga, the Carabinieri Corps, the Institute of Applied Ecology; and Carsa s.r.l. as associated beneficiaries.
The aim of the project was to ensure better conservation conditions for the wolf within the territory of the 2 National Parks, acting, in particular, on stray and wandering dogs, which fuel three serious threats
- the loss of the wolf’sgenetic identity due to hybridisation with stray dogs
- mortality due to illegal poaching or use of poison, even if not directly aimed at the wolf
- transmission of pathogens from the presence of unvaccinated stray dogs in the territory.
The main objectives of the project were
- Neutralise the reproductive potential of wolf-doghybrids and stray dogs present in the two national parks.
- To strengthen the control system for illegal activities.
- Reduce the health risk of pathogen transmission from dog to wolf.
- To increase awareness of the risks posed by stray dogs to wolf conservation.
- To create a national database on the phenomenon of hybridisation.
- To develop a shared process at local level on the management of hybrids.
- To establish a system to control the use of poison on the territory, by transferring experiences from the LIFE ANTIDOTO project.
To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the main actions carried out were:
- Survey on the presence of wolf-dog hybrids and stray dogs (collection and genetic analysis of biological samples);
- Capture sterilisation and reintroduction into the wild of captured wolf-dog hybrids;
- Veterinary assistance, microchipping of protection dogs and stray dogs;
- Creation of a database to record hybridisation events in the country;
- Establishment of 2 anti-poison dog units;
- Promotion of a participative management process for the problems of hybridisation and stray dogs;
- Communication and awareness-raising activities aimed at stakeholders and schools
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