Italian Wolf
The Italian wolf (Canis lupus italicus) is a subspecies of gray wolf native to the Italian peninsula. It is leaner and somewhat smaller than wolves found in northern Europe, with a coat that typically runs in shades of tawny gray and brown. Packs usually number between 2 and 7 individuals and hold territories that can span hundreds of square kilometers across forested mountain slopes. Wild boar and deer make up the bulk of the diet, though the wolves also take smaller prey and carrion. By the 1970s, hunting and habitat loss had pushed the population below 100 animals. Legal protection turned that around, and by the early 2020s national surveys counted roughly 3,300 wolves in Italy alone, with packs spreading into France, Switzerland, and beyond. The recovery stands as one of the most remarkable carnivore comebacks in European history.
Habitat and distribution
The Italian wolf is most at home in forested mountain terrain, and the Apennine range running down the spine of Italy has been its stronghold for centuries. From those southern and central peaks, packs have steadily pushed northward into the western Alps, crossing into France, Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia. Wolves favor dense woodland that provides cover for hunting and denning, typically at elevations between 500 and 2,000 metres, though they move through lowland corridors when dispersing to find new territory. A single pack may patrol a range of several hundred square kilometres. The natural return of forests across abandoned farmland in the Italian countryside has played a significant role in opening up new areas that wolves can now occupy.
Diet
Wild boar and deer, particularly roe deer and red deer, form the backbone of the Italian wolf's diet across most of its range. Packs hunt cooperatively, which allows them to bring down prey much larger than any single wolf could manage alone. When large ungulates are hard to find, wolves will take smaller animals such as hares and rabbits, and they will feed on carrion when the opportunity arises. In areas where livestock graze without adequate protection, sheep and goats can also become targets. Studies carried out in the Apennines show that wild prey makes up the vast majority of kills, and that livestock predation tends to rise where natural prey populations are lower or where herding practices leave animals unguarded overnight.
Population
Few wildlife recoveries in Europe match the scale of what has happened with the Italian wolf. By the early 1970s, centuries of persecution had reduced the entire population to fewer than 100 animals, all confined to a small stretch of the southern Apennines. Legal protection granted in Italy in 1976 allowed numbers to climb steadily. A national survey conducted in 2020 and 2021 put the Italian population at roughly 3,300 individuals. Wolves have also recolonised parts of France, where several hundred now roam, and smaller but growing populations are established in Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia. The overall trend across the subspecies remains positive, making the Italian wolf one of the clearest conservation success stories on the continent.
Conflict with humans
Living alongside wolves is not always easy for farmers and shepherds. Livestock losses, particularly of sheep and goats, are the main source of tension between wolves and rural communities, and the problem tends to flare up where flocks are left unguarded on open pasture at night. Wolves naturally keep their distance from people, and documented attacks on humans in Europe are exceptionally rare. Practical measures can reduce losses significantly. Guardian dogs, traditionally used by shepherds in Italy for generations, provide one of the most effective lines of defence. Sturdy enclosures and the presence of a herder also make a real difference. Several European countries operate compensation schemes to reimburse farmers for confirmed wolf predation, which helps ease some of the economic pressure on affected communities.
Conservation
At a global level, the gray wolf carries a status of Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, a reflection of its wide range across the Northern Hemisphere. The picture in Europe is more nuanced. The Italian wolf has been legally protected in Italy since 1976, and that protection helped drive the remarkable population recovery seen over the following decades. At the European level, the wolf has historically been listed under the strictest category of the Habitats Directive. However, the legal framework is shifting. In 2025, the Bern Convention downlisted the wolf from strictly protected to protected status, opening the door for the European Union to update its own legislation accordingly. National protections remain in place for now, and conservation groups continue to monitor how these policy changes play out for wolf populations across the continent.
Technical factsheet
Where it is found
The Italian Wolf can be found in places such as:
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is an Italian wolf?
Italian wolves are leaner and somewhat smaller than their northern European relatives. Adults typically weigh between 25 and 35 kilograms, with males running larger than females. They stand around 60 to 70 centimetres at the shoulder. Their coat usually comes in shades of tawny gray and brown, which helps them blend into the forested mountain slopes where they spend most of their lives.
What do Italian wolves eat?
Wild boar and deer, especially roe deer and red deer, make up most of what Italian wolves eat. Packs hunt together, which lets them take down animals much larger than a single wolf could handle. When large prey is scarce, they will go after hares, rabbits, or carrion. In areas where livestock are left unguarded, sheep and goats can also become targets, though wild prey makes up the great majority of their diet.
Are Italian wolves dangerous to humans?
Italian wolves are naturally wary of people and will almost always avoid contact with humans. Documented attacks on people in Europe are exceptionally rare. These animals are not a direct threat to human safety under normal circumstances. That said, it is always sensible to keep a respectful distance if you spot one in the wild, and to avoid leaving food out in areas where wolves are known to roam.
How do Italian wolves live in a pack?
Italian wolf packs typically consist of between 2 and 7 individuals, usually made up of a breeding pair and their offspring from one or more seasons. The pack works as a unit, cooperating to hunt large prey, defend territory, and raise pups. Each pack holds a territory that can cover several hundred square kilometres. Young wolves eventually leave to find a mate and establish a territory of their own.
Why did Italian wolves almost go extinct?
By the early 1970s, centuries of hunting and the steady loss of habitat had pushed the entire Italian wolf population below 100 animals, all surviving in a small pocket of the southern Apennines. Wolves were widely seen as a threat to livestock and were persecuted relentlessly. Legal protection introduced in Italy in 1976 gave the population room to recover, and numbers have grown steadily ever since.
Where do Italian wolves live today?
Italian wolves originally held on in the Apennine mountains of central and southern Italy. From there, packs have spread northward into the western Alps and crossed into France, Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia. They favor dense forest at elevations between roughly 500 and 2,000 metres, though they will travel through lower ground when moving to new territory. The return of woodland on abandoned farmland has helped open up large areas for them.
What is the conservation status of the Italian wolf?
The gray wolf as a species is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, which reflects its broad range across the Northern Hemisphere. In Europe, legal protections have been strong for decades, though the framework is changing. In 2025, the Bern Convention moved the wolf from strictly protected to protected status, which may allow countries to manage populations more actively. Conservation groups are watching closely to see how this affects wolf numbers.
