The 13th SoZooAlp – Society for the Study and Enhancement of Alpine Livestock Systems – Conference entitled “Livestock and wildlife activities: in search of coexistence” took place on 21st and 22nd October, at the Foro Boario La Miniera di Crodo.
The conference, organized in collaboration with the Ente di Gestione delle Aree Protette dell’Ossola, took place in conjunction with the “Biancolatte” event. SoZooAlp, which has always been active in spreading awareness of the economic, environmental and historical-cultural importance of livestock farming in the mountains, during this national conference, wanted to deal with the issue, particularly topical nowadays, of the increasing amount and widespread distribution of wildlife in general in Italy.
The afternoon of Friday 21st, coordinated by Silvana Mattiello, President of SoZooAlp and professor at the UNIMONT Centre of the University of Milan, and Enrico Sturaro of the University of Padua, dealt with the critical issues following the considerable increase in the amounts of wild ungulates and predatory carnivores in the Alps.
The different forms of spatial overlap of domestic livestock farming and related human problems were highlighted (Luca Battaglini, University of Turin), since they have led to evident phenomena of health, as well as genetic, trophic and behavioral, interaction (Stefania Zanet, University of Turin). Much space was dedicated to the return of the great predators, and in particular of the wolf, for the consequences on livestock breeding and tourism, as highlighted by the various speakers (among these, for the Italian Alpine Club, Davide Berton). From the conference it emerged that innovative, effective and shared intervention and solutions are urgently required, with not only passive, but also active, means of protection and defense (contribution by Duccio Berzi).
The increase in wild animals is clearly putting at risk the survival of many extensive farming enterprises, precious for their contribution to the economic vitality and multifunctionality of hilly and mountain territories, preserving them from abandonment. The growing presence of wild species in various territorial contexts cannot be interpreted as a contribution to a “right” renaturalization, but requires a correct evaluation of the related ecosystem services and disservices.
The conference tackled the problem starting from an in-depth knowledge of the phenomenon, comparing the opinions of the numerous figures involved in various capacities: in addition to researchers, technicians, veterinarians, agronomists, even breeders (with the heartfelt contributions of the breeders Lina Leu and Virginia Gazzolo) and natural resources managers of the Alpine area (the Director of the dell’Ente Aree Protette dell’Ossola Daniele Piazza and the President Vittoria Riboni). On the morning of the second day, a review of further technical-scientific contributions by SoZooAlp Members was held on the more general theme of Alpine livestock systems.
The conference met with undoubted success and was attended by over seventy participants.