Long-term viability of a reintroduced population of roe deer Capreolus capreolus, in a lowland area of northern Italy

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The comprehension of the factors that have influenced the recent changes in wolf (Canis lupus) range and diet that have occurred in our study area, characterized by a highly heterogeneous landscape, can shed light on their current process of expansion toward the plain. Wolf presence was monitored using a standardized protocol from 2007 to 2022 by carrying out eight monitoring sessions organized in seasonal surveys, during which, we collected wolf presence data. To model wolf range dynamics, we used dynamic occupancy models considering land cover types and wild ungulate abundances as covariates. Moreover, we studied the wolf diet through scat analysis, identifying the consumed items from undigested remains. Wolf occupancy in the study area progressed from mountains to lower hills gradually; the observed range dynamics were driven by prey abundance and human presence: in particular, the probability of colonization increased with roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) abundance, whereas the probability of extinction increased with urban areas. The wolf diet showed a gradual shift from the prevalent consumption of wild boar (2007–2008 and 2011–2012) to the prevalent consumption of roe deer (continuously increasing from 2015 onward). Our results might be related to a specific adaptation of the predator to the local ecology of the most consumed species: the roe deer.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in Wolf Occupancy and Feeding Habits in the Northern Apennines: Results of Long-Term Predator–Prey Monitoring

Torretta,

Brangi,

Meriggi

2024

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“…It has been demonstrated that wolves' home ranges are negatively related to prey abundance and habitat quality [21,69] and positively related to human density [70] and habitat fragmentation caused by roads [14]; these two factors generally force wolves to increase their range size to encompass refuge areas large enough to satisfy their ecological needs. W2606 settled in the suburban area of Modena, a highly urbanised area extremely fragmented by roads and lacking stable populations of wild ungulates [71], while W2357M and W2358F settled in more natural areas characterised by continuous woodlands and high prey availability (i.e., the Ticino River Natural Park: 30.7 ± 4.1 roe deer/km 2 [72]; Apennines, hilly areas between Parma and Reggio-Emilia: stable occurrence of roe deer and wild boar [71]). These differences in refuge and prey availability could have driven the observed differences in the utilisation distribution of the three monitored wolves.…”

Section: Utilisation Distribution and Movement Patternsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hide-and-Seek in a Highly Human-Dominated Landscape: Insights into Movement Patterns and Selection of Resting Sites of Rehabilitated Wolves (Canis lupus) in Northern Italy

Torretta

Corradini

Pedrotti

et al. 2022

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Assessing the behavioural responses of floating wolves to human presence is crucial for investigating the chance of wolf populations expanding into urbanised landscapes. We studied the movement ecology of three rehabilitated wolves in a highly human-dominated landscape (Po Plain, Italy) to explore wolf’s plasticity amid widespread human pressure. To reach this aim, we estimated individual 95% utilisation distributions (UD) after the release and inspected both 95% UDs and net squared displacements to identify individual movement patterns; tested for differences in movement patterns during day and night; and analysed the selection of resting sites during dispersal movement in a highly human-altered environment. Both the 95% UDs and step lengths were smaller for wolves settling in suitable areas than for those settling in more urbanised areas. All wolves exhibited strong temporal segregation with humans during all movement phases, particularly while dispersing across highly urbanised areas. Main roads and proximity to built-up areas were shown to limit wolves’ dispersal, whereas small-wooded patches that provide shelter during rest facilitated long-distance movements. This study provides important insights into wolf movement and settling in urban and peri-urban areas, providing critical knowledge to promote human–carnivore coexistence.

“…In many European countries, as the case of northern Italy, wild ungulates populations are currently expanding, partly due to wildlife management programs and increased number of animals in areas now inhabited by humans [ 5 ]. This is the case of roe deer ( Capreolus capreolus ), a species that faced a massive decline at the beginning of the 19th century, due to over-hunting and deforestation, and that is now re-expanding thanks to the abandonment of crops in upland and mountain areas, repopulation programs, hunting regulations and to its high environmental adaptability, with an increased population in Italy of 201.4% from 1984 to 2004 [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]. Roe deer, besides being considered as one of the most important host species for ticks, plays an important role in maintaining several tick-transmitted pathogens, which have raised human and veterinary health concern especially in the last decades [ 2 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…On the contrary, rescued animals represent a useful and convenient source for biological samples and data from wildlife, without requiring demanding methods of hunting or trapping, that can in turn result in stressful conditions for the animals and need much organization and logistics resources for the researchers. Roe deer populations are increasing in density due to the abandonment of rural areas, changes in human land use, restocking and lack of predators [ 6 , 7 , 21 ]. Additionally, an increasing geographic expansion of roe deer towards cultivated areas and densely populated and peri-urban territories has been recently reported [ 7 , 22 , 23 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Roe deer populations are increasing in density due to the abandonment of rural areas, changes in human land use, restocking and lack of predators [ 6 , 7 , 21 ]. Additionally, an increasing geographic expansion of roe deer towards cultivated areas and densely populated and peri-urban territories has been recently reported [ 7 , 22 , 23 ]. In this context, there is a growing probability of contact between humans and wildlife that in turn intensifies the potential for direct lethal effects (vehicle collisions, predation by dogs, etc.)…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Molecular Survey of Babesia spp. and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Roe Deer from a Wildlife Rescue Center in Italy

Cafiso

Bazzocchi

Cavagna

et al. 2021

Babesia ssp. and Anaplasma spp. are tick-borne microorganisms representing a possible health risk for domestic and wild animals, as well as humans. Roe deer serve as a suitable reservoir host for some species ascribed to Babesia spp. and Anaplasma phagocytophilum taxa, also due to its important role in the maintenance of large populations of Ixodes ricinus, the main tick vector of these pathogens in Europe. Roe deer populations have been recently expanding throughout Europe, namely in Italy. However, the collection of samples from free-ranging wild animals for diagnostic investigations often includes several practical issues. This problem can be overcome using samples provided by wildlife rescue centers making them available for investigations following routine analyses. The presence of Babesia spp. and Anaplasma spp. in blood samples of 43 roe deer rescued by a wildlife rescue center in Emilia-Romagna region (Italy) was molecularly investigated. PCR screening revealed the presence of at least one pathogen in 86.05% of the animals, while co-infection occurred in 18.92% of the tested individuals. Zoonotic Babesia venatorum was found in 6.98% of the samples, while Babesia capreoli and Anaplasma phagocytophilum were detected in 74.42% and in 20.93%, respectively. No hematological signs compatible with clinical anaplasmosis or piroplasmosis, as well as absence of intracellular circulating microorganisms in blood smears, were observed, suggesting asymptomatic infection in the tested animals. These results confirm the usefulness of wild rescued animals as convenient source of biological samples for tick-borne pathogens investigation and the role of roe deer as a key factor in the endemic cycle of Babesia species and A. phagocytophilum.