Mysterious wolf slayer who abandons the dead animals in Tuscan villages has shot seven of them and STRANGLED one in bizarre vendetta
Mysterious wolf slayer who abandons the dead animals in Tuscan villages has shot seven of them and STRANGLED one in bizarre vendetta
- Eight endangered wolves found dead since early November
- Killers left carcasses in village squares and on the steps of a theater
- Sheep farmers thought they were behind the slaughter
- Decimated sheep herds have ruined many farmers in the area
- Since the reintroduction, the wolf population in Tuscany has grown to 230
- Deaths have led to rows between conservation groups and local farmers
Repopulation: Wolves were reintroduced to Tuscany from the Abruzzo mountains in the 1990s, with the help of EU funding
The medieval hilltop towns, scorched valleys and free-flowing Chianti have made Tuscany a hit with British expats and tourists. But in recent weeks, the peaceful valleys have been rocked by a predatory serial killer.
Eight endangered native wolves have been found dead since early November, and three new bodies have turned up in the past week alone.
In an apparently political gesture, the vigilante killers, or murderers, have displayed the carcasses where they will be seen everywhere, in town squares and, in one case, on the steps of a theater.
All but one of the protected animals were shot, while the others were strangled. The massacres are believed to be the work of an exasperated sheep farmer on a personal vendetta following attacks on his flock.
Veterinarian Marco Aloisi, director of a local wildlife sanctuary, said it seemed “a protest” to show the wolves’ bodies to the public.
Wolves were reintroduced to Tuscany from the Abruzzo mountains in the 1990s, with the help of EU funding.
MFI furniture millionaire Paul Lister has similar plans to reintroduce wolves to his estate in Alladale, Scotland, despite the fact that they became extinct in the UK in the 17th century.
Wolves in Italy have increased in numbers as illegal hunting by farmers has become less common, and there are now an estimated 230 in Tuscany.
The packs usually live high up in the Apennines, but are driven to farmland in cold weather or when they can’t find enough prey.
In the past two years, they have ventured lower than ever before. According to official figures, wolves were responsible for 1,000 attacks on sheep, cattle and horses in 2012.
Since then, a wave of marauding attacks has decimated the coastal Maremma herds.
Growing problem: Wolves in Italy have increased in numbers as illegal hunting by farmers has become less common, and there are now an estimated 230 in Tuscany
Activism: Conservation groups have staged protests, calling for swift justice for those behind the killings
Production has halved in some areas, leaving farmers on the brink of collapse.
Regional projects to mitigate wolf damage, including traps and specially trained dogs, have largely failed.
Many sympathize with the farmers’ frustration.
Local MP Luca Sani, chairman of the House of Representatives’ Agriculture Committee, said: ‘The killing of wolves is a matter of great concern. However, it would be irresponsible to bury our heads in the sand and not recognize that this action is a worrying sign of our farmers’ annoyance.’
Conservation groups have staged protests and called for swift justice. James Bottinelli, spokesman for the A law Against Vivisection group in Grosseto, said: “Anyone who kills an animal is a criminal and must be stopped, but especially in a case like this, where we are dealing with a serial killer.”
Businessman Paul Lister has plans similar to those in Tuscany and wants to reintroduce wolves to the Scottish wilderness on his Alladale estate
.