Around 30 livestock farmers from north-western Rome participated in a LIFE WILD WOLF focus group to share their experiences, concerns, and priorities regarding wolf presence and livestock farming, highlighting the importance of dialogue and local participation in developing effective coexistence strategies.
On 1 July 2026, the Institute of Applied Ecology (IEA), coordinator of the LIFE WILD WOLF project, organised a focus group with livestock farmers from the north-western area of Rome. The meeting took place at the Trekking Horse Club in the Lazio region, bringing together approximately 30 participants as part of the project's ongoing stakeholder engagement activities in Italy.
Creating Space for Dialogue and Exchange
Livestock farmers are among the groups most directly affected by the presence of wolves in landscapes increasingly shared by wildlife and human activities. Understanding their experiences, challenges, and concerns is essential for developing realistic and locally appropriate approaches to human–wolf coexistence.
The focus group followed a series of individual interviews conducted with livestock farmers in the area. During these interviews, participants expressed a strong interest in moving beyond individual discussions and creating an opportunity to exchange experiences with others facing similar challenges.
Responding to this request, LIFE WILD WOLF organised a dedicated meeting where farmers could openly discuss their concerns, identify shared priorities, and reflect on potential ways forward.
Preliminary findings from the interviews helped guide the discussion, encouraging participants to share their perspectives and explore common challenges.
Farmers Call for Greater Recognition and Institutional Engagement
The discussions highlighted the importance of ensuring that livestock farmers have a meaningful voice in decisions affecting their livelihoods and the territories they manage.
Participants emphasised the need for greater recognition of the role of livestock farming in land management, alongside stronger involvement from public authorities and relevant institutions.
Rather than focusing solely on the presence of wolves, farmers raised broader concerns related to wildlife management, the long-term sustainability of livestock farming, and the relationship between agricultural activities, protected areas, and public authorities.
The meeting also demonstrated that providing information alone is not enough. Effective coexistence requires continuous dialogue, practical responses, and opportunities for local stakeholders to contribute to decision-making processes.
Building Trust and Supporting Future Cooperation
Despite the complexity of the issues discussed and the diversity of perspectives expressed, the focus group resulted in a constructive exchange.
Participants showed a willingness to continue engaging with the LIFE WILD WOLF project, particularly through future meetings involving protected areas, public authorities, and other relevant stakeholders.
The experiences and priorities collected during the meeting will help guide upcoming project activities in the Lazio region and provide a foundation for strengthening cooperation between livestock farmers and institutions.
By placing local experiences at the centre of the discussion, LIFE WILD WOLF continues to promote participatory approaches to wolf conservation, recognising that long-term coexistence depends not only on scientific knowledge and prevention measures, but also on trust, dialogue, and the active involvement of communities sharing their landscapes with wolves.
