Agency advises lethal action against four aggressive wolves in specified area, under condition of aggression.
New Genoa Wolf Culling Controversy
In the local news circles of Genoa, whispers of concern swirl among animalists and environmental associations following reports of a proposed wolf cull. This controversy arises from a regional commission meeting, where the approval of culling four wolf specimens, part of a calculated quota for the Ligurian territory, was revealed. This revelation adds fuel to the fears stoked by the recent downgrading of wolf protection status, a decision contested on both the European and Italian fronts.
As of now, no culling has been commenced. Guglielmo Jansen, WWF Liguria's wildlife expert and member of the regional technical committee for fauna, sheds light on this contentious issue. Jansen explains that the region's proposed cull is part of a "wolf management plan." According to ISPRA, the numbers presented in this plan are based on surveys aimed at containing the wolf population in cases of especially aggressive individuals or those who have repeatedly caused harm. No permission for shotguns has been granted, and culling is only permissible in cases that meet specific scientific criteria—those wolves unafraid of humans.
While discussing the proposed quota of four heads for culling, Jansen clarifies that this action doesn't fall under traditional hunting protocols but rather a control plan carried out by institutional surveillance services. Culling would only be authorized in specific cases, according to Jansen. However, the public discourse on the topic has been skewed for some time, he claims, criticizing the lack of clear communication on the matter.
Jansen also highlights that many of the specimens marked for culling are young wolves in dispersal, and it's untrue to suggest they pose a threat to humans. In fact, danGERous wolf attacks on humans are rarely recorded in literature.
It seems that an allegation of potential danger to domestic animals and pets is emerging. People who allow their pets to roam free in the territory without proper controls are usually the ones sounding this alarm. While it's true that even in broad daylight, a dog off-leash could be at risk, proper management, like keeping the dog on a leash and ensuring its safety, can prevent such incidents.
On the subject of wolf predation on livestock, Jansen points out that it's essential to distinguish between farmers with genuine agricultural interests and those who keep animals primarily for pasture management. Pastoralism was not ingrained in Ligurian culture but was introduced in the last 30 years. Often, queries for intervention or compensation come from these sources, with livestock kept in inadequate enclosures and susceptible to predation, affecting 90% of ovines and caprines. Compensation should be combined with preventive measures.
The allegations of escalating wolf sightings need scrutiny; not all claims can be verified as true. In the agricultural sector, it's crucial to address the actual farm concerns, rather than treating the wolf as a psychosis.
- The proposed wolf cull in Genoa, currently under scrutiny by animalists and environmental associations, originated from a regional commission meeting discussing the approval of culling four wolves as part of a "wolf management plan" aimed at containing aggressive or harm-causing individuals.
- Guglielmo Jansen, a wildlife expert and member of the regional technical committee for fauna in Genoa, clarified that the proposed culling does not fall under traditional hunting protocols but is instead a control plan conducted by institutional surveillance services.
- Contrary to popular belief, several of the wolves marked for culling are young ones in the dispersal phase, and Jansen clarified that it's untrue to suggest they pose a threat to humans.
- While the alleged danger to domestic animals and pets is rising, proper management like keeping pets on a leash and ensuring their safety can prevent incidents involving wolves.
- The prevalence of wolf sightings and allegations of escalation in the agricultural sector requires verification, and it's important to address the actual farm concerns, rather than treating the wolf as a psychosis.
