More than an animal, the wolf is an archetype. It is considered the totemic animal par excellence: on one hand it embodies the dark, primordial side of the wild, a symbol of fear and death; on the other, it evokes knowledge and epiphanic revelations in ancient Nordic traditions. In more recent times the wolf has become synonymous with ferocity, and for this reason the victim of merciless hunting that brought the species to the brink of extinction.

In Italy this great predator came close to disappearing — in the 1970s fewer than 100 individuals remained in the Apennines. In the years that followed, thanks to effective conservation efforts and European protection laws such as the Bern Convention, the number of wolves increased considerably; today between 600 and 1,000 individuals are counted in our country. The relationship between humans and wolves, however, continues to be troubled — here are some stories of coexistence between humans and the lord of the forests.

Flavio Tosi authorises the culling of wolves, reported by the Forestale

The Lega mayor of Verona issued a controversial ordinance allowing citizens to kill wolves if they pose a threat to themselves or to livestock. The State Forestry Corps was quick to respond, reporting the politician on the charge of having authorised the culling of a protected species.

Wolf hunting: the Tar suspends Tosi's ordinance

The Tar of Veneto ruled against the ordinance issued by Mayor Flavio Tosi authorising citizens to shoot wolves in the area of the Parco della Lessinia. "Our obvious arguments regarding the mayor's blatant violation of the state regulations on wildlife protection, the regulation of hunting and the lawful use of firearms have been recognised," said Graziella Zavalloni, national president of the Lac.

Leonardo DiCaprio produces a film about the death of Yellowstone's most beloved wolf

The Hollywood star takes on the role of producer to tell the story of 832F through an investigative film — a female wolf who became a favourite of hikers and researchers, shot dead by a hunter near Yellowstone park.

The first wolf spotted in the Czech Republic in 100 years

After a century of absence, a wolf has been spotted in the Czech Republic. The animal's return is also good news for the ecosystem. It appears that apex predators — such as wolves, but also lions and sharks — are capable of improving and stimulating biodiversity.

How to coexist with wolves. In 5 steps

Following the recent killings of wolves in the Tuscan Maremma, the Wwf mobilises and suggests five targeted measures to guarantee peaceful coexistence between humans and wolves.

Protect the wolf, adopt donkeys

Switzerland tried to remove the wolf from the list of "strictly protected" animals, but the proposal was rejected. Donkeys are an excellent remedy for countering wolf attacks on flocks — they act as an alarm system and defend the sheep.