Operation Italic Deer

The revival of a unique species in the heart of Serre Park

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The context: why Italic deer end up in the Serre

The italic deer(Cervus elaphus italicus) is an endemic Italian subspecies, relict, concentrated almost only in the Mesola Forest (Ferrara), with about 300 individuals, the result of high inbreeding and with a real risk of extinction in case of epidemics or extreme events.
Already for years there has been a National Conservation Program for the Mesola Deer, drawn up by ISPRA and the Ministry of the Environment, which envisages the creation of a second autonomous population in another suitable area. An ISPRA feasibility study (2021) identifies the Serre Regional Nature Park as the best area for a viable new population, due to forest conditions, climate and low fragmentation.
This is the origin of the “Italic Deer” Project/Operation , promoted by WWF Italy with a steering committee that sees:

  • Serre Regional Nature Park (local release and management site)

  • WWF Italy (operational coordination and fundraising, including through 5×1000)

  • ISPRA (feasibility study, guidelines, technical and scientific opinion)

  • Carabinieri Forestry / Carabinieri Biodiversity (Mesola Forest management and logistical support to transfers)

  • University of Siena (main scientific reference)

  • DREAM Italy, IZS Lazio and Tuscany, University of Bologna for the veterinary, health, operational part

  • Calabria Region as an institutional and political partner, also recognized by popular and industry articles.

Doe and pup born in 2025 – Video trapping in the Park.

Doe and pup born in 2025 – Video trapping in the Park.

2023 - The launch of the operation and the first transfers

In March 2023, the first nucleus of 20 italic deer, transferred from the Mesola Woods, is released in the Serre Park.
WWF officially announces that the goal is:

  • transfer at least 20 individuals per year, for three years (2023-2025),

  • Up to 60 total deer,

  • creating a second autonomous population within the park.

Procedures follow international standards:

  • Selective capture in Mesola, controlled sedation,

  • Veterinary checks, marking,

  • transport to Calabria under the responsibility of the Carabinieri Forestali,

  • Release in a suitable and initially controlled area within the Serre.

As early as 2023 national and international media are telling the story:

  • International (quoting The Guardian) speaks of “sixty specimens transferred from Emilia-Romagna to Calabria” to save the subspecies.

  • Portals such as LifeGate recount the project as an emblematic case of Italian “rewilding.”

End of 2023: full-scale operation and second wave of releases
Two italic deer releases are carried out in the Serre in 2023, the last one in late October, again subject to ISPRA validation.
At the end of the year:

  • RaiNews TGR Calabria devotes a report to the project, highlighting the role of the Serre Park as an “ally” of the Mesola Forest in saving the subspecies.

  • Dissemination events are organized such as the “Together for the Protection of Species” meeting at the Park headquarters, with talks by the Park Commissioner, WWF Calabria and Carabinieri Biodiversity.

2024 - First births and the media leap forward.

Spring-summer 2024: cubs arrive
During 2024, the release area is monitored using GPS phototraps and radio collars. Early data show:

  • good survival,

  • Animal weight gain,

  • Regular movements testifying to good adaptation.

In July 2024 comes the symbolic news: the first Italic deer pup is born in Calabria, within the Serre Park.
The story is told:

  • from the Park’s official note on Parks.it, which speaks of the “success of Operation Italic Deer started in 2023 with Park, WWF, ISPRA, University of Siena and Carabinieri of Biodiversity.”

  • by newspapers such as Il Vibonese, CalabriaMagnifica, and Green.it, which celebrate the birth as a breakthrough in the conservation of the species.

Fall 2024: Second wave of deer and population strengthening
On October 25, 2024, WWF publishes “Continued Operation Italic Deer.”

  • 30 more deer are moved from the Mesola Woods to Calabria;

  • the overall goal of 60 individuals in three years is confirmed;

  • it is officially reported that at least two pups have already been born in the Park.
    On the same date, Il Fatto Quotidiano devoted an article to the operation, explaining the subspecies’ extinction risks and the significance of the new range in the Serre.

Doe and pup born in 2025 – Video trapping in the Park.

2025 - Cubs of 2025 and international recognition

Summer 2025: new births and video traps
In July 2025, the Park’s photo traps capture two adult specimens with their newly born pups.

  • Corriere della Calabria publishes “A thrill in the foliage of Serre Park: the first deer of 2025 are born – VIDEO,” calling the operation a success.

  • We of Calabria talks about the “rebirth of the italic deer.”

  • Wonders of Calabria points out that between March and October of the previous year, about 50 deer had been relocated, all equipped with GPS collars and in good physical condition.

Fall 2025: the story arrives on National Geographic
In November 2025 National Geographic Italy dedicates a feature to the reintroduction of the Italic deer in the Park, presenting it as a successful case of conservation and rewilding in Italy.
The news is taken up by Il Vibonese and Parks.it, which point out that the Park’s presence on National Geographic is a certificate of scientific and international credibility.

It is remarked that:

  • reintroduction is a model of scientific and institutional collaboration;

  • the project is the result of a synergy between Serre Park, WWF Italy, the Calabria Region, universities, ISPRA, Carabinieri Forestali and other research institutions;

  • the first natural births in Calabria confirm that the protected area can support a viable long-term population.

Who reported on Operation Italic Deer (magazines and trade media)

In addition to local newspapers, the story has entered the circuit of trade magazines and portals on the environment, nature and conservation. In particular:

  • WWF Panda News and WWF official reports (Social Report, 5×1000 statements)

  • National Geographic Italia – global brand of science and nature popularization

  • International (with article taken from the Guardian)

  • LifeGate, Green.it, eHabitat – portals specializing in sustainability and wildlife

  • Parks.it – official portal of Italian protected areas

  • Rai TGR Calabria, Il Fatto Quotidiano, Corriere della Calabria, LaC News24, Il Vibonese – media that brought the story to the general public.

In summary, to date, Operation Italic Deer in Serre Park is perceived as:

  • one of the most significant wildlife conservation projects in Italy in recent years;

  • a rewilding workshop linking North and South, Mesola Forest and Calabrian Serre;

  • a communicative case history that brought the Park-and Calabria-to high-profile media circuits.

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