On 5 May, the staff of Rewilding Apennines, Salviamo l’Orso and volunteers, during a monitoring activity in the corridor area between the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park and the Sirente Velino Regional Natural Park, found 2 wolves and 4 griffon vultures dead in the territory of Cocullo, on the border with Goriano Sicoli.
Sadly, in the days that followed, the numbers continued to grow, reaching a tally of 9 wolves, 6 griffon vultures and 2 ravens.
The Forest Carabinieri of the Roccaraso Station Command and the veterinary officer of ASL 1 L’Aquila-Sulmona-Avezzano intervened on the spot. The latter gave authorisation for the removal of the carcasses to prevent other animals from dying by feeding on them. In the days that followed, the anti-poison dog units of the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park intervened and, together with staff and volunteers from Salviamo l’Orso and Rewilding Apennines, checked the area.
It is sad to see that in 2023 the culture of poison is still so widespread, highlighting the utter insensitivity towards life on the part of those who resort to such cowardly practices. These people do not understand that by doing so, they damage themselves and the image of the communities to which they belong,” said Mario Cipollone, team leader of Rewilding Apennines.