The first Italian deer puppy was born in Calabria

This is the first positive result of the project to reintroduce the Italian deer into Calabria, which is now only present in Emilia-Romagna.

• First Italic deer born in Calabria
• The Italian deer repopulation project is bearing its first fruits
• The population of 300 individuals in Emilia-Romagna will no longer be alone

In the Serre Regional Natural Park, in Calabria, a camera trap immortalized a female Italian deer together with her cub.This incredible discovery represents an important milestone for the reintroduction project of the Italian deer started by WWF Italy.

The Italian deer, a rare species in our country

The Italian deer (Cervus elaphus italicus), a subspecies endemic to Italy, has survived to this day only in the Mesola forest nature reserve, in the province of Ferrara, with a population of approximately 300 individuals.This species, so rare and precious, is the subject of careful conservation and repopulation work for prevent any natural disasters from compromising their survival.The project, which began in 2023, sees the collaboration between WWF Italia, the Serre regional natural park, the forestry carabinieri and the University of Siena.The main objective is to create a second population of Italian deer in a different geographical area, thus reducing the risk of extinction.The procedure involves the capture of some specimens from the Mesola forest and their subsequent release in the Serre park.

The first born from the repopulation project

A camera trap immortalized a female Italian deer, identified with the code name F14, together with her cub, marking a significant turning point in the reintroduction project.This female was released in Calabria last October.The video recorded by the camera trap not only shows the beauty of this species in its new habitat, but also confirms the success of the project, highlighting the reproduction of the species in the new region.Future monitoring will reveal whether other female Italian deer have reproduced, but for now we can celebrate the birth of this little one as a positive signal for the future of the species.This rewilding project it represents a fundamental step for biodiversity in Italy and a conservation model that could be applied to other species at risk.

The importance of the Italian deer

“Saving such a particular subspecies from extinction is our mission, these deer are an integral part of our history and our natural heritage”, are the words of Giovanni Nobili, lieutenant colonel of the Forestry Carabinieri, who explained the importance of the project.Unlike other European deer introduced into Italy after the Second World War and continually expanding, the Italian deer has remained confined to the natural reserve of the Mesola forest.The 300 specimens, who live in the reserve, they survive in conditions of genetic isolation, addressing risks related to inbreeding, habitat changes and potential epidemics.Not only that, the possible risk of fires or flooding could decimate the deer.Furthermore, the absence of alternative populations constitutes a threat that can no longer be ignored.

The Wwf, together with its partners, continues to work to ensure a secure future for the Italian deer, symbol of our wildlife.This project represents new hope for the Italian deer and an example of how collaboration between conservation bodies, scientific institutions and law enforcement can lead to significant successes in the protection of biodiversity.