Fiumicino authorities order closure of Fregene woods Pineta Monumentale to protect public safety and conserve protected species.
A pine forest located a few kilometres from Rome’s Fiumicino airport has been closed to the public following the confirmed sighting of a pack of wolves.
The order, signed on Thursday by the local government of Fiumicino, came after a report from the Carabinieri forestry department identified a group of six wolves roaming deep within the Pineta Monumentale di Fregene.
The decision to close the park – a popular destination for families, joggers and dog owners – was described as a “precautionary measure” aimed at ensuring public safety.
“Given the high frequency of citizens using the pine forest, often accompanied by domestic animals, the administration felt it necessary to adopt this measure”, a municipal spokesperson stated.
Authorities have noted that while wolves typically avoid humans, the presence of dogs can sometimes trigger defensive or predatory behaviour in the pack.
This sighting is part of a broader trend of wildlife returning to the Roman coastline. Experts from the Castel di Guido nature reserve, located adjacent to the Fiumicino territory, have been tracking a stable wolf population in the area for several years.
The wolves are often attracted to the perimeter of the airport and the nearby nature reserves due to an abundance of prey, particularly wild boars and rabbits.
Despite the closure, local officials emphasised that the presence of wolves is a sign of a healthy, biodiverse ecosystem.
The ordinance is intended not only to protect people but also to safeguard the wolves, which are a protected species under Italian and European law.
The park will remain closed “until the emergency ends,” during which time wildlife experts will monitor the pack’s movements.
Authorities are working to determine if the wolves are merely passing through or if they have established a more permanent den within the park boundaries.
Local residents are advised to keep dogs on leashes in areas bordering the pine forest and to report any further sightings.
