Marche Region activates wolf monitoring following urban sightings

The Marche Region has initiated a coordinated monitoring program following reports of wolves appearing near inhabited areas. Giacomo Bugaro, the regional councilor for hunting, sent a letter to municipalities, Carabinieri Forestali, Provincial Police, and protected area managers to ensure timely verification of sightings and unified action.

The initiative aims to manage the phenomenon by following technical-scientific guidelines from ISPRA while protecting local community safety. Monitoring will focus on peri-urban areas and locations with high human presence. The Carabinieri Forestali will handle report validation and specialized monitoring under the ISPRA/LIFE Wild Wolf protocol, while Provincial Police will assist in continuous territory surveillance.

In Ancona, the issue has gained local attention after a significant impact on urban feline colonies. Orlanda Latini, the councilor for animal protection, reported that a colony of over 50 cats in the via Scataglini area was reduced to just 15 following a suspected wolf transit. Photo traps confirmed the presence of wolves in the area. Officials noted that leaving food out can attract wildlife into these highly populated zones.