According to Abruzzo Lazio e Molise National Park staff, the puppy was reported last Friday by some residents near Pizzone.
After monitoring her for a few hours and noting the absence of her mother, the puppy was picked up by the park rangers because she was approaching the road dangerously and it was necessary to do everything possible to prevent her from being involved in an accident or risking being attacked by the numerous guard dogs in the area.
We quote from the official PNALM press release:
‘The decision to remove the puppy from the territory was necessary to avert possible dangers deriving from the presence of the road, but also from the fact that, precisely in the area, there are guard dogs from livestock farms, as well as a documented presence of wolves. In both cases the puppy would have been easy prey.
The cub is a female of about 4-5 months, weighs 3 kg and is very reactive. After a weaning period, which will necessarily have to be carried out with all due caution and precautions at the Park’s centre in Pescasseroli, the little bear will be moved to the specially built structure at the Feudo Intramonti Nature Reserve of the Carabinieri Forestali, with whom there is total understanding, similarly to what happened in Morena’s case, in a natural environment where human disturbance will be reduced to feeding only.
This story is a further demonstration of how dealing with wildlife is a constant commitment that requires attention, delicacy and continuous presence. Emergencies never end, and so does the will to improve and act together.
Nature conservation is, and must continue to be, a shared effort.