sential role. In this respect Luigi and 
the WWF succeeded in attaining two 
objectives that are vital to the survival 
of the wolf. Shortly before my de- 
parture from Italy in December 1976 
the Agriculture Ministry in Rome 
made the wolf a permanently pro- 
tected animal throughout the country 
and prohibited the use of poison for 
predator control. We were especially 
pleased by this last prohibition be- 
cause it was so unexpected and so 
important, not only to the wolf. 
What does the future hold for the 
wolf in Italy? Everything depends on 
how these two laws are observed. And 
that depends on the attitude of the 
local population, which in turn de- 
pends on the future economic devel- 
opment of the higher-altitude areas 
in the Apennines. If compensation reg- 
ulations were introduced in the south- 
ern provinces, as they have been in 
the Abruzzi and more recently in some 
i other provinces, another step in the 
direction of tolerance would be taken. 
A reasonable development of tourist 
facilities would presumably also be 
beneficial, since the economic base 
would be broadened and the great de- 
pendence on sheep, which has pre- 
vailed in the past, would be dimin- 
ished. Economic prosperity is certainly 
one of the essential conditions for the 
preservation of the wolf. But every 
mountain need not be equipped with 
skiing facilities and every village need 
not have a big hotel. This would be 
not only an ecological disaster for the 
wolf and other free-living animals but 
also an economic dead end for the 
people of the area. 
Finally, the future of the wolf de- 
pends on the success of the prey in- 
troduction program. Whether red and 
roe deer will be able to survive outside 
strictly protected areas, such as the 
national park, depends on Italian 
sportsmen. This is certainly a factor 
of great uncertainty, and I must admit 
that my hopes in this respect are not 
very high. Deer and chamois are 
strictly protected, and the penalties 
for shooting them are severe. But who 
is to insure that the law is enforced? 
Our hopes lie with the forest admin- 
istration, whose attitude toward intro- 
duction is very positive. Also the 
sportsmen of central and southern It- 
laly do not have a tradition of hunting 
ungulates, and shooting in the forest 
is prohibited. Perhaps, after all, there 
is a chance that deer, wolves, and hu- 
man beings will be able to coexist 
m developed and cultivated areas. □ 
ALASKAN WILDLIFE ADVENTURE 
June 26 to July 9,1981 
Join Kenneth A. Chambers, Lecturer in Zoology at the Ameri- 
can Museum, for a journey to America’s last great frontier. 
Cruise through fabulous Glacier Bay, with its whales, seals, and 
teeming birdlife. Explore scenic Mt. McKinley National Park, 
and see giant moose, white mountain sheep, barrenground car- 
ibou, and golden eagles. Visit volcanic Katmai, and watch 
brown bears fishing for salmon. Fly to the remote Pribilof Is- 
lands, summer home to over a million fur seals and countless 
nesting sea birds. Limited to 25 participants. 
write to: 
DISCOVERY TOURS 
AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY 
Central Park West at 79 Street New York, New York 10024 
of Natural History Please print 
Museum Shop Dept. 228 Name 
P.O. Box 174 Address 
Scarsdale, N.Y. 10583 City State Zip 
Item # 
Qty. 
Description 
Price 
Shipping/ handling 
Total 
in 
Glass set of six 
3.00 per set 
112 
Pitcher 
2.50 each 
Customer 
Inquiries: Call 
212 799-8958 
Most deliveries will be made by U.P.S. 
so please provide street address. 
Order Total 
N.Y. State Tax 
Total Amount 
Member Membership # Non Member 
I've enclosed check or M.O. in the amount of $ payable to 
American Museum of Natural History (NO C.O.D’S) 
Charge To: Master Charge Visa American Express 
Account # Exp. Date 
Signature (req. if using credit card) 
81 
