Wolves return to Rome after a century

26 Sep, 2017

Wolf family living in outskirts of Rome.

A family of wolves has been photographed by hidden cameras in a nature reserve at Castel di Guido, located between Rome and the capital's coastal district of Fregene, not far from Fiumicino airport.
It is the first time in more than a century that the wild animals have returned to live around Rome. The wolves are believed to have come from the Bracciano area, north of the city, where they have always had a presence. The family consists of two parents and at least two cubs, one of whom can be seen in the footage below.

Experts say the wolves' diet consists predominantly of wild boar, meaning they are not a threat to farm animals. They also avoid human contact.

Wolves became protected in Italy in 1971 after the species faced extinction. Italy now has an estimated 1,500 to 2,000 wild wolves, centred mainly in the Apennines and Alps mountain regions.