Investigation on sheep farm characteristics, wolf predation and animal welfare in the Grosseto province (Italy).

In Italy, and particularly in Tuscany, the presence of the wolf (Canis lupus L.) is steadily increasing causing problems connected with the coexistence with animal husbandry. In the Grosseto province, the complaints and protests of farmers are particularly strong so, it seemed interesting to evaluate the occurrence of predation events, the welfare level of the sheep farms and their relation with the chronic stress. The safeguard of animal welfare represent an important topic also in relation with the awareness of the consumers towards the ethic of animal production system. Sixteen farms in the Grosseto province were investigated. Animal welfare was estimated by the TOS-OVI method; it takes into account five Areas of interest (A: management; B: structures and housing conditions; C: environmental control; D: feeding and watering; E: health and behaviour) giving a final welfare score and judgment. Farms characteristics for the applying of the TOS-OVI method were gathered. Descriptive analysis of the farms characteristics was performed; one way ANOVA test was used to analyse the variability of cortisol related to the level of welfare and to the animals that experienced (Preyed) or not predation events (Not preyed). The checked farms were family business of medium-large size and reared Appenninica, Sarda, and Massese breeds. Seven farmers declared at least one predation event in the last six months, with four killed animals on average. Farmers complained not only dead animals but also abortion and decrease in milk production. Sixty-seven percent of the attacks occurred in the morning or in the early afternoon when the flock was free grazing on the pasture. Results on animal welfare showed an acceptable level in each farm, with optimal results mostly related to health, hygiene and behavioural aspects (Area E), while the Area A, related to management features showed the more critical deficiencies. Hair cortisol was low in all the animals, and it resulted significantly lower in the farms with the highest level of welfare. Differences on hair cortisol between animals that experienced or not predation events displayed significant lower level in preyed ones (p = 0.0014). Anyway, there are only few researches on the topic, so it would be interesting to extend the study area for the purpose of deepening the knowledge on this topic.