La predazione negli allevamenti ovi-caprini dell’entroterra savonese

Predation on domestic
stock has always been one of the main causes of the conflict between humans and large predators.
This problem has been recently spreading to new geographic areas, thus reinforcing the strength of this
conflict. In order to point out the characteristics and risk factors of predation in the Province of Savona
(Italy), we carried out a survey with direct inspections and interviews in 43 sheep and goats farms, 4 of
which make use of alpine pastures during the summer. Predation episodes seldom or never occur in
farms at the bottom of the valleys, whereas they commonly occur in 3 out of 4 farms during alpine summer
grazing periods. It has not always been possible to state with certainty the responsibility of the attacks. All
the events recorded in summer ranges were attributed to wolves and occurred during the night, while in
the farms at the bottom of the valley most of the attacks were due to stray dogs and predation occurred
mainly during daytime. Surplus killing was recorded in many cases. Principal risk factors were, first of
all, grazing in summer ranges, followed by the presence of large flocks and by a too high ratio animals/
stockmen. The presence of wolves is considered a problem by all grazing farmers, and only by 23% of
farmers at the bottom of the valley. Solutions proposed by the farmers to reduce the risk of predation by
wolves consist of wolf killing or, in second place, of setting up adequate reimbursement strategies. Very
few farmers are willing to accept financial support for the adoption of preventive measures. Among the
preventive strategies already adopted, electric fences seem to be the more effective, while guardian dogs
have not yield acceptable results so far.