In Italy, wildlife is still the victim of rampant poaching, particularly predators such as wolves and bears — species that are specially protected and vital to the balance of natural ecosystems. The majority of these crimes go unpunished, chiefly because identifying those responsible is so difficult, but also due to grotesque judicial decisions, such as the acquittal of the man who killed an extremely rare Marsican brown bear. This time, however, the investigation has borne fruit: the Carabinieri of Rimini, together with their forestry colleagues, have identified the alleged perpetrators of the killing of an Apennine wolf (Canis lupus italicus), which was poisoned with rodenticide, finished off with a spade or pitchfork, and hung by its hind legs from the shelter of a bus stop in the municipality of Coriano (Rimini) last November.

Who the alleged perpetrators are

Those accused of the brutal killing of the animal — reported to the authorities and currently at liberty — are said to be an 82-year-old and a 43-year-old linked to a farm in Coriano. The two were identified thanks to closed-circuit television footage that captured, in the area where the wolf was found, a vehicle that turned out to be registered to the farm. Further evidence consists of phone records and traces found in the van, including blood residue and hairs that analysis confirmed belonged to the killed wolf.

LAV ✓ @LAV_Italia

𝕏

#Lupo ucciso a Coriano (Rimini): denunciati due uomini proprietari di azienda agricola 🐺

Complimenti a Procura della Repubblica di Rimini e @_Carabinieri_ Forestali, @minambienteIT il “grande assente”. @massimovitturi: LAV si costituirà parte civile! bit.ly/2IJGuWS

♥ 32💬 6 15 mag 2018 · Apri su X →

The charges

The two men are charged with ill-treatment, capture, killing and aggravated theft of a specimen of a specially protected animal species. During a search of the farm, the Carabinieri are also said to have uncovered further offences, including clandestine slaughter, animal cruelty, illegal waste dumping and unlawful keeping of dangerous animals.

Lav will join proceedings as a civil party and accuses the Ministry of the Environment

Lav, which at the time the carcass was discovered had called for a firm stance from the Ministry of the Environment, has expressed its satisfaction at the outcome of the investigation and announced that it will join the proceedings as a civil party. "Our congratulations go to the public prosecutor's office in Rimini and to the forestry Carabinieri who, thanks to their commitment, managed to identify the alleged perpetrators of such a brutal and cruel act," reads the association's statement. "While we must once again note the total absence of the Ministry of the Environment, which in the face of such a serious incident failed to seize the opportunity to publicly condemn the phenomenon of poaching."