EU: HELP PROTECT THE VULNERABLE ITALIAN WOLF! PREVENT THE MASSACRE OF THIS KEYSTONE SPECIES

UPDATE 21 DECEMBER 2023.

THIS PETITION HAS BEEN RE-OPENED DUE TO THE CURRENT CRISIS 

Image: Italian Wolf - Credit: I Am Not Afraid  Of The Wolf APS (Association for Social Promotion), Italy. 

While Switzerland seemingly prepares itself to cull 70% of its population of (Italian) wolves on the Alpes, the undersigning members of the public strongly oppose the downgrading of the vulnerable Canis lupus italicus from "strictly protected" to simply "protected". This new status, if granted, would allow the introduction of "flexibility" in management procedures, including culling. 

The expected massacre of this keystone species, in Italy or other ranges, is not supported nor justified by serious scientific evidence and it is only pushed by vested private interests which have no link to any ecological consideration and factual data, nor do reflect the opinions of the majority of European stakeholders. 

Protecting wolves in Italy and Europe is not only a matter of ecological significance but also a reflection of our commitment to biodiversity, conservation and the values of coexistence and tolerance. 

Wolves are an integral part of Europe's natural heritage, playing a vital role in maintaining ecosystem balance and biodiversity.

We strongly emphasise that any decision altering the protection status of wolves must be grounded in rigorous scientific data, adhering to the provisions of relevant legislation. It is imperative that decisions are not influenced by anecdotal evidence submitted by non-transparent and irregular consultation processes.  

The integrity of the decision-making process must uphold the principles of transparency, accountability and a commitment to evidence-based conservation practices. This ensures that the well-being of vulnerable Canis lupus italicus is safeguarded in a manner consistent with ecological responsibility and legislative standards. 

The EU Commission and its Member States, committed, on the occasion of the "Nature Restoration Law" in July 2023, to restore 20% of land and marine areas by 2030, in order to halt the loss of biodiversity and combat the climate crisis; it would be contradictory and counterproductive to support the degrading of protection for the wolf. 

We urge the EU Commission to prevent the massacre of the vulnerable Canis lupus italicus and share the robust science and indisputable evidence presented by Member States to substantiate the degrading of this species protection status. 

Meanwhile, the EU should focus on the collaboration between stakeholders, to fully implement the already existing and successful non-lethal solutions, and to continue monitoring Member States in their fair use of European resources, in order to achieve viable coexistence with the wolf and other wildlife. 

SIGN THE PETITION!

ORIGINAL PETITION: 

After 46 years of protection, the Italian wolf population is threatened by a proposal of indiscriminate culling, by Minister Galletti.

The New Conservation and Managing Plan:

1. Mr. Galletti attempted to pass this bill on Feb. 2, 2017, but was blocked by public pressure. He is now planning to try again on the 23^rd of Feb, despite the outcry of numerous associations, scientific institutions, foundations and even the Italian media and general public.
2. Mr Galletti is planning to eradicate the hybrids (wild exemplars of wolf/dog genetic mix) from the wild and the ecosystem.
3. We expose the irregularity of such a plan and in particular the decision to manage a vulnerable species despite the lack of scientific data as imposed by EU norms and regulations. We are concerned about how the population of wolves will survive this project.
4. No scientific authority or official force will be appointed to monitor the legality and modalities in which wolves will be distinguished by hybrids and collected, removed or destroyed.
5. We fear the risk of human error on this matter: often it is impossible to distinguish a wolf from a hybrid, without the use of a DNA test.
6. We are concerned about the impact the collection of hybrids from mixed packs could have on the dynamic of the pack which could dismember as a consequence.
7. Solitary wolves are more aggressive. It has been proved that they will then attack easy targets, such as cattle. This would worsen the conflict between human/wolf and have an impact on the wolf population (poaching).
8. Italy must develop non-lethal strategies to manage the hybrid issue.
9. The ministry is planning to eradicate and permanently enclose the hybrids without knowing how many wolves and how many hybrids are in the different regions.
10. There is no legislation to properly and humanely hand in and manage captive wolves in permanent shelters.
11. We suggest that hybrid exemplars could be tested, sterilized and released in order to not affect the dynamic of their pack but this could result in exemplars being split from their pack, forever.  
12. Pure wolves could be captured for DNA tests and released but this also could result in exemplars being split from their pack, forever.  
13. Hybrids have always existed in the history of wolf evolution since wolves and stray dogs have always existed and shared part of their territory.
14. A hybrid can take 2 to 4 generations to become a wolf again. This proves the usefulness of the eradication program.
15. The removal of hybrids will not solve the genetic issue until errant dogs on the Italian territory are sterilized, including stray, guard and hunting dogs, which are often left roaming for a long time.
16. Italy is already poisoning 800 wolves per year, of an estimated population between 1500 and 2500 animals across the country. We fear this plan could incentivise poaching.
17. We want to point out that culling is never a selective activity and age, gender and status inside the pack hierarchy, can never be determined on sight.  
18. The Environmental Ministry has failed to protect this heritage species, denying scientific authorities the chance to share information and wasting funds assigned for the research.

Environmental issues:

1. The culling of a big carnivore such as the wolf, pure or hybrid, will affect the whole ecosystem.
2. We fear the excess breeding of boars, which are also considered a nuisance in the farming industry and represent a social danger and a road safety problem.
3. This will lead to more human/wildlife conflict and more culling.
4. The Environmental Ministry has previously authorised the culling of 280.000 boars between 2015 and 2016. This has brought, in the absence of their primary source of food, the wolf population, pure and hybrid, down to the farms, worsening the conflict between humans/predators.
5. No measures have been taken to encourage farmers to use preventive humane methods to protect farm livestock. Italy is ignoring international standards and research on the managing of human/predator conflict, involving vulnerable species.
6. For the management of this conflict, the Ministry should invest the EU resources in more effective methods to prevent wolf predation on cattle. As international studies have proved, electric fences, sheep dogs, acoustic signals and flashlights are powerful and more economical strategies to adopt.  

Cultural Aspects:

1. The wolf is an icon in European culture and for Italians is a heritage species from the time of ancient Rome. The wolf is the Mother of Rome as well as Romulus and Remus; the wolf is the icon linked to Saint Francis and a symbol of peace.

A culling plan for wolves or hybrids, all of a sudden considered a 'nuisance' or 'bastards', will lead to the degradation of the Italian own image and brand.

1. The success of this petition, started only at the beginning of February, is proof of the reaction the whole world had, when faced with a plan of destruction for this species, after 46 years of protection.

Conclusions:

1. This plan would then contradict the norms and regulations established by the EU on the protection and conservation of vulnerable species.
2. We want to draw the EU's attention to every detail of this bill. We urge the EU to intervene and discourage Mr. Galletti in his resolution which is not based on any scientific data. We ask the European Commission to discuss the issue, investigate and impose that the Italian Ministry invest in research before moving ahead with any invasive action of eradication or culling.
3. We demand EU, in case this bill, despite the conditions, will pass, sanction Italy for the irregular and inefficient way of managing a vulnerable and heritage species

OUR REQUESTS:

1. We demand Mr Galletti remove articles regarding the permanent captivation, eradication, and destruction of exemplars either pure or hybrid breed, from his Plan of Conservation and Management of the Italian Wolf (January 2017); III.7 -Exceptions and departure from the ban of removing wolves from habitat-.
2. We ask the Regions' Presidents to halt this project until the above articles are removed.
3. We ask the European Commission to take into consideration the content of our petition and demand Mr Galletti to respect rules and regulations as imposed by the EU, in particular, regarding the management of a vulnerable species in the absence of data and scientific support.
4. We ask the European Commission to guarantee maximum protection to the Italian wolf.
5. WE ASK THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION TO REVERSE THE PROVISION OF FUNDS TOWARDS ITALY AND IMPOSE SANCTIONS, FOR THE UNSCIENTIFIC MANAGEMENT OF A VALUABLE AND VULNERABLE SPECIES AND THE WASTE OF COMMON FINANCIAL RESOURCES
6. We declare Mr Galletti accountable for the loss of environmental heritage and degradation in natural habitat, the loss of customers in the Italian tourist and gastronomic sectors; the degradation of image and Brand Italia and the loss of workplace in these sectors.

PLEASE SIGN!