Wolves in the Casentinesi Forests: insights for wolf conservation in Italy from a protected area with a rich wild prey community

The Casentinesi Forests, in the northern Apennines, harbour a rich community of wild ungulates, with the wolf representing the
largest predator in the area. Between 1993 and 2000, wolf pack distribution in the area was monitored and estimates of pack size
were obtained by wolf-howling surveys, snow-tracking, and occasional observations. Three to five packs were detected yearly, with
sizes averaging 4.20.9 wolves (maximum 7). The overall density in the area was 4.7 wolves per 100 km2 with an average distance
between adjacent packs of 11.1 km. The high wolf density in the Casentinesi Forests is mostly related to abundance and size of wild
prey. In this, like in other areas at low latitudes, wolf density depends mainly on the number of packs, as pack size is rather small and
recruitment limited by early dispersal and high mortality. Three homesites used in several years by resident packs were discovered.
Homesite fidelity and pack reproductive success were higher in fully protected rather than harvested areas. Establishing a network of
protected areas with high ungulate diversity and abundance is proposed as the main factor for allowing a full recovery of the wolf
population in Italy.