Italian Authorities Investigate Mass Death of 18 Wolves in Protected Reserve
Eighteen wolves found dead in an Italian national park are now at the center of what conservation groups are calling one of the worst wildlife attacks in the country’s history.
Authorities suspect poisoned bait, but investigators have not yet confirmed the exact cause, raising concern about who is responsible and whether more animals are at risk. According to Reuters, the deaths happened across multiple areas of Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park, a key habitat for Italy’s recovering wolf population.
Officials say other animals, including foxes and birds, were also killed, pointing to a broader environmental threat. Italy’s environment minister called the incident “horrendous” and ordered increased inspections.
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The case is drawing attention because wolves in Italy were once nearly extinct before protections in the 1970s helped their numbers rebound to several thousand.
Now, with protection rules loosening in parts of Europe and tensions rising with farmers over livestock losses, conservationists warn this incident could signal a dangerous shift.
Investigators are still working to determine who carried out the poisoning and whether more cases will follow.
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