The 6th Meeting of the Pivka Local Stakeholder Platform: Study Visit to Lessinia
The local stakeholder platform taking place in Pivka within the LIFE WILD WOLF project carried out a study visit in January to the Lessinia Regional Nature Park in Italy, an area where local communities have been adapting to the return of wolves over the past decade. The aim of the visit was to gain first-hand insight into the experiences of local stakeholders, compare management practices, and reflect on the potential transfer of good practices to Slovenia.
During the visit, participants met with a diverse group of stakeholders:
Sofia and Mattia from the La Pecora nel Bosco farm presented the experience of a young sheep farm that successfully protects its flock using well-trained livestock guarding dogs. They also highlighted challenges related to fragmented land ownership and heavy summer tourism.
Mauro, a cattle farmer, stressed the importance of determining acceptable wolf density, as current trends increase the risks for the viability of cattle grazing.
Francesco, representing the NGO Io non ho paura del lupo, introduced their work as a key link between local communities, farmers, and large carnivore experts.
Luca, a hunter from the Erbezzo hunting ground, spoke about changes in red deer behaviour following the return of wolves and pointed out conflicts between hunting and tourism.
Claudio Groff from the Autonomous Province of Trento presented their experience in managing bear and wolf populations.
Similarities and Differences: Lessinia as a Mirror of Slovenian Challenges
Discussions with farmers, hunters, NGO representatives, and regional authorities showed that communities in Lessinia face many challenges familiar in Slovenia:
– demanding livestock protection requirements,
– administrative burdens,
– limited systemic support for farmers,
– and increasing tensions among land users, especially due to tourism.
Participants also noted key differences. Large carnivore management in Lessinia is less systematic than in Slovenia: wolf monitoring is carried out mainly by a single NGO, and management interventions are limited. Another specific challenge is the high rate of wolf predation on cattle, reflecting the area’s particular environmental and land-use characteristics.
The study visit offered valuable insight into the early stages of adapting to the presence of wolves — a phase that many Slovenian regions have already progressed beyond.
Key Takeaways from the Visit
The visit highlighted that effective coexistence with large carnivores relies on:
• clear and transparent population management,
• accessible support for livestock farmers,
• consistent public outreach and visitor education,
• and long-term, trust-based dialogue among all stakeholders.
We sincerely thank Io non ho paura del lupo for their hospitality and support in organising the visit. We also extend our gratitude to all interviewees who shared their experiences and provided valuable insights into wolf management in Lessinia.
