Il lupo appenninico: un lupo tra i lupi

Classification

The wolf belongs to the order Carnivora, family Canidae, genus Canis. It is a single species, Canis lupus, described by Linnaeus in 1758. Wolves in Italy were originally part of a very large population that ranged across much of Europe and the vast forests of Russia.

During the 20th century, the remaining Apennine population—together with the separate Iberian nucleus—represented one of the last “reservoirs” of wolves in Western Europe. Persecution and range contraction led to strong isolation, peaking in the 1970s, when only a few dozen individuals were thought to survive in the wild.

The name Canis lupus italicus was proposed by the zoologist Giuseppe Altobello in 1921, based on measurements and morphological traits considered sufficient at the time to describe the Italian population as a subspecies.

With the recolonisation of the Alps and renewed contact with neighbouring populations, wolves of Apennine origin are contributing to the restoration of connectivity (the exchange of individuals driven by natural dispersal) among wolf populations across Europe.

General appearance and movement

A wolf’s gait is often the first feature that makes it unmistakable. At its usual pace—the trot—it moves with remarkable efficiency: the body seems to glide forward in a straight line, carried by an easy, elastic stride.

The tail is never curled upward like in many dogs. While travelling it often hangs low and still; during communication, however, it becomes highly expressive and plays an important role in “wolf language”.

Coat colour

In Italy, as in many temperate-zone wolf populations, the overall coat colour is grey-fawn. The fawn tones tend to dominate in summer, while greys are more evident in winter and in younger animals. Lighter areas (whitish to cream) are usually visible on the belly, the inner legs and the underside of the muzzle.

A closer look: an energy-saving predator

Eyes

Often amber-yellow, the eyes can be framed by darker markings that enhance visual communication. Eye contact plays a key role in pack dynamics: a steady stare can be enough to defuse tension without escalating to direct conflict.

Ears

Upright and mobile, the ears help both communication and constant listening. Even when resting, a wolf remains tuned to sounds in the landscape— including those associated with human presence.

Paws

Tough, dark pads provide grip and control on rugged ground. The wolf’s posture and efficient foot placement help reduce energy costs—especially on snow.

Teeth

The long canines are obvious, but the key “carnassial” teeth (upper fourth premolar and lower first molar) form a shearing pair that can cut flesh and even crack large bones, helping wolves feed through harsh winter conditions.

Life as a family (when humans allow it)

In areas rich in prey, wolves tend to form stable family groups. Packs usually develop around a breeding pair and the pups of the year. As young wolves mature, some disperse while others may remain longer, strengthening hunting ability on large ungulates, helping defend kills, and sometimes supporting pup care.

When human-caused mortality disrupts a pack—directly or indirectly—family structure can be altered, leading to instability and, in some cases, the departure of individuals from their natal area.

At the wolf’s court: freeloaders, thieves and the occasional helper

Carcasses left by wolves quickly become resources for many opportunistic species. Depending on how tolerant the “owners” are, a range of scavengers and thieves may manage to steal part of the meal: griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus), ravens (Corvus corax), hooded crows (Corvus cornix), magpies (Pica pica), golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), just to name a few.

The only animal that can truly drive a pack away from a carcass is the Marsican brown bear (Ursus arctos), which—like brown bears elsewhere—can take advantage of these situations thanks to the risk it represents in a direct confrontation.

It is also plausible, as observed in other parts of the world, that Apennine wolves and ravens sometimes “cooperate”, more or less unconsciously, in finding vulnerable prey. Hoping for a new feeding opportunity, ravens may attract wolves’ attention through repeated flights and calls, effectively pointing them towards an easier target.

At the Apennine wolf’s table

In the Apennines, wild boar (Sus scrofa) is often the wolf’s most frequent prey. Boar move in noisy groups, often with many piglets and younger animals—individuals that can be more vulnerable and, at times, accessible even to a wolf hunting alone.

In the PNALM area, red deer (Cervus elaphus) can be another important resource. Predation—especially on fully grown males—may require cooperation among several pack members. Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and hares (Lepus spp.) may also contribute to the diet. From small rodents to large herbivores, wolves are flexible hunters; occasionally, domestic animals or free-ranging dogs may be involved as well.

An interesting example reported in different Italian areas is predation on coypu/nutria (Myocastor coypus), a non-native species with impacts on riparian ecosystems—one that wolves may help keep in check locally.

The “shepherd wolf”?

The return of wild prey has largely reduced the wolf’s historical role as a “scourge” of livestock. Not long ago, when wild ungulates were rare or absent in many areas, wolves survived by taking advantage of easier opportunities around humans, including raids on sheepfolds.

Today, pastoralism is more limited in many parts of the Apennines, but livestock depredation can still occur. That is why traditional prevention remains essential—above all the presence of well-trained livestock guardian dogs, which can be highly effective deterrents and active defenders.

Some observers also suggest that a stable, resident pack—focused on hunting wild ungulates—may indirectly discourage other opportunistic predators (such as feral dogs), which can be particularly damaging to flocks. Turning the wolf from fear to “ally” may be a step too far, but wolves in the Apennines have repeatedly surprised us with unexpected twists.

Threats and challenges

The Apennine wolf is a highly adaptable large carnivore, yet it remains vulnerable because it lives in a landscape intensely shaped and used by people. Its long-term persistence depends on the availability of wild prey, the continuity of suitable habitats and, above all, the ability to coexist with human activities (livestock farming, roads, the presence of dogs and human disturbance).

The main challenges are directly or indirectly linked to people: illegal killing, road collisions, conflicts with livestock husbandry, habitat fragmentation and disturbance, as well as the risk of hybridisation with free-ranging dogs and the transmission of diseases. For this reason, priority actions focus on reducing mortality and conflict while increasing correct information and social acceptance.

Priority actions

• Tackling poaching and poisoning (controls, prevention and awareness-raising).
• Managing dogs and stray populations (preventing hybridisation, controlling free-ranging dogs and promoting responsible ownership).
• Preventing damage to livestock (livestock guardian dogs, fencing, active shepherding and night-time protection).
• Proper management of carcasses and waste to avoid attracting carnivores and opportunistic scavengers near settlements.
• Monitoring and information (data collection, reporting systems and education for coexistence).

Where to experience the wolf in Italy

The wolf is elusive: direct sightings are possible but rare, and often last only seconds. A better approach is to learn the landscape and recognise signs of presence—tracks, scats, scent marks, and sometimes distant howls.

Large, continuous protected areas with abundant wildlife offer the best context for understanding wolves. In the Central Apennines, the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park (PNALM) and surrounding protected areas are key reference landscapes.

Guided experiences

With Wildlife Adventures we run wildlife watching experiences in Abruzzo and the Apennines. Our guides know the trails, the behaviour of local wildlife and the subtle signs left by large carnivores. We never use calls or bait, and we always prioritise respectful observation.

With wolves, the experience is often about listening, tracking and reading the land. Even without a direct sighting, learning how a top predator lives and moves can become one of the most memorable parts of the journey.