Data di Pubblicazione:
2014
Citazione:
Impact of wolf (Canis lupus) on animal husbandry in an Apennine province / C. Russo, S. Mattiello, C. Bibbiani, A. Baglini, P. Bongi, C. Facchini. - In: ITALIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE. - ISSN 1594-4077. - 13:3(2014), pp. 3303.521-3303.527.
Abstract:
Predation has always been an important problem in extensive sheep farms, causing serious economic losses to the farmers. In the Province of Lucca, the presence of reproductive wolf packs has already been confirmed in natural reserves, but occasional signs of presence of the predator have been reported also in neighbouring areas. The present research has been carried out in this Province (between the Orecchiella Natural Reserve and the medium Serchio Valley), in order to obtain more complete information on the location of the wolf (with transects, wolfhowling and snow-tracking), and to verify the real impact and risk factors of predation on livestock (by means of on-farm surveys carried out in 42 semi-extensive farms) in this area. The presence of wolf was confirmed in the study area with a minimum of four adult individuals and at least one pup: this pack lives around the peaks of the Apennines in the municipalities covered by this investigation. A growing conflict between the wolf and the sheep and goat farms was observed: since 2007 there have been 25 attacks and three farms can be considered subject to chronic predation. The major risk factors are high altitude, large flock size and lack of fences and of guardian dogs. An accurate knowledge of wolf presence and the identification of the farms mostly at risk can be useful for future planning of interventions aimed at prevention and support of farmers, in order to mitigate the conflict caused by predation.
Tipologia IRIS:
01 - Articolo su periodico
Keywords:
canis lupus; predation; sheep; wildlife conflict; animal science and zoology
Elenco autori:
C. Russo, S. Mattiello, C. Bibbiani, A. Baglini, P. Bongi, C. Facchini
Link alla scheda completa:
Link al Full Text: