Cremona police capture wolf known as ‘Gianni’

The Provincial Police of Cremona successfully captured a wolf, locally nicknamed ‘Gianni’, following several months of sightings in the areas of Gadesco Pieve Delmona and Persico Dosimo. The animal had become a frequent presence in residential areas, often appearing at night and exhibiting a lack of fear toward humans, partly due to residents feeding it despite official warnings.

The capture operation was a coordinated effort involving the Province of Cremona, the Lombardy Region, ISPRA, and ERSAF. To ensure safety and precision, authorities utilized a drone equipped with a thermal camera to locate the animal. A specialized veterinarian then administered remote anesthesia (telenarcosi) to immobilize the wolf.

Authorities noted that while there were initial questions regarding the animal's specific phenotype, the capture was deemed necessary to perform genetic testing to confirm its species. The wolf is being transferred to a more suitable habitat to ensure both its welfare and the safety of the local population.