Abruzzo wildlife officials host anti‑poisoning event in Anversa degli Abruzzi

On 7 August, an awareness meeting was held at Piazza Belprato in Anversa degli Abruzzi, Abruzzo, to discuss the illegal use of poisoned baits that endanger wildlife, domestic animals and public health. The event was organized by the WWF Oasi and the regional natural reserve “Gole del Sagittario”, with participation from the municipal administration, the Carabinieri Forestale and WWF representatives.

Speakers included Mayor Aurora Tarulli, Colonel Giuseppe Lopez of the Carabinieri Forestale Abruzzo‑Molise, WWF Italy’s legal director Dante Caserta, WWF delegate Filomena Ricci and reserve director Sefora Inzaghi. They highlighted recent lethal incidents, such as the death of about twenty Apennine wolves in April within the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park, and stressed that poisoned baits pose a serious threat to protected species like the Marsican brown bear, the Apennine wolf and the griffon vulture. The Ministry of Health’s August 8 2025 order banning the use and abandonment of such baits was cited, but officials called for stronger prevention, tighter controls and more effective sanctions.