University of Udine to open 1.7 million euro wildlife clinic

The Friuli Venezia Giulia Region has allocated 1.7 million euros to the University of Udine to establish a specialized veterinary clinic in Pagnacco. The facility will focus on the care, hospitalization, and rehabilitation of wildlife, with a specific emphasis on large carnivores such as brown bears, wolves, and Eurasian lynxes, as well as mesocarnivores like otters and golden jackals.

Managed by the University’s Department of Agro-food, Environmental and Animal Sciences, the project aims to strengthen the Research and Coordination Center for Wildlife Recovery (CRFS). Beyond direct veterinary care, the initiative will support scientific research, monitoring, and training.

A key component of the investment involves researching innovative systems to mitigate risks and damage caused by wildlife presence, particularly in mountainous and inland areas. The goal is to develop management models that improve coexistence between humans and wild animals while protecting traditional agricultural activities.