Italy: Poisoning suspected in deaths of 18 wolves in national park

After the carcasses of 10 wolves were found last week, another eight have been found in recent days.

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After the carcasses of 10 wolves were found last week, another eight were found when patrols were stepped up in recent days in the Abruzzo, Lazio, and Molise National Park.

The park authority said last week that traces of suspected poisoned bait had been found in an area where five of the wolves had been found dead and the latest deaths elsewhere raised "very strong suspicion" of further poisoning.

The authority said it was working to determine the cause of death and collaborating with local public prosecutors.

The park's initial suspicions appear to have been corroborated in tests carried out by the local animal health research institute IZS.