WILD ANIMALS’ SANCTUARY. WAR ON WOLVES.

Dunstan Times, Issue 3355, 3 January 1927, Page 7

WILD ANIMALS’ SANCTUARY.

WAR ON WOLVES.

Among the world’s finest national parks is one which the Italian bovernment established in 1913 on a vast tract of mountainous and densely wooded land in the heart of the Abruzzi. The park has. been visited by many experts from other countries, ail of whom have been enthusiastic in their praises of tins great preserve. The wild creatures which roam at lioerty in these magnificent mountain forests had gradually been reduced in numwers almost to the point of extinction when the Uovermuent intervened to save them by prohibiting shooting and snaring over this wi*e area. The animals now wander undisturbed inrough wild and beamtul scenery, especially near the mountain communes of upi—with its famous Forest of Fon-diho—-Civiteda and rescasseroli, which is regarded as the '“capital” of the park. The descendants of the primeval bear o: the Abruzzi roam m perfect freedom witn the other creatures of the forest, and although their numbers are increasing the authorities are not alarmed, ior the dainage which the bears mriict on the docks is practically negligible. These handsome beasts, which sometimes grow to a height of six feet, are described as comparatively harmless and nicher playful creatures, which have lost most of tho savage traits of their kind since they ceased to Ire attacked and worried. Oilier rare creatures which have been saved from destruction are tho lynx and a species of chamois presenting characteristics v|ery different from those of the chamois of the Alps, ryrenees, and the Carpathians. A relentless war is being waged by the keepers of the park against wolves and foxes, which are chiefly responsible ior the disappearance ol the chamois and smaller game. Forty-four wolves and 750 foxes have been killed during the past few years, with the result that the chamois, which had been driven to aimost inaccessible peaks by the wolves, now venture to graze at much lower altitudes. The species is increasing in number, and hares and partridges have also become plentiful owing to the successful war against the fox. The flora of the national nark is not less interesting than its fauna, and has been studied by Professor Pirotta, who holds the chair of botany at the Bom an University. It is proposed to form under his direction a nursery of rare aromatic mountain plants which may bo of use for medicinal or industrial purposes. __________