Extreme spatial plasticity in Italian wolves: ecological determinants of range size and movement patterns across heterogeneous landscapes

As wolves (Canis lupus) recolonize diverse environments, the extent to which ecological and individual factors shape their spatial behaviour remains insufficiently understood. Italy, where wolf recovery began earlier than elsewhere in Europe and spans highly heterogeneous landscapes, offers an opportunity to explore patterns relevant to future European scenarios. We analysed variation in home range size and movement patterns using GPS data from 19 wolves monitored between 2019 and 2025 across five study areas representing a broad environmental gradient. Continuous-time movement modelling was used to estimate home range size and distance travelled. Home range size varied markedly among areas, with annual averages for pack-member wolves ranging from 35 to 185 km2. The smallest ranges occurred where wolves had been established for longer and/or where prey availability was higher, suggesting that both intraspecific competition and resource abundance influence space use. Wolves expanded their ranges in winter and in more urbanized landscapes. Pack members consistently had smaller home ranges than floaters, and among floaters, females showed slightly larger ranges than males. Distance travelled also differed significantly across areas (local averages 25-53 km/day) but showed no significant association with individual traits. Three dispersal events were documented, two of which resulted in successful pair formation and subsequent reproduction. Overall, our results provide a broad overview of wolf spatial behaviour in contemporary Italian landscapes and offer insights relevant to the management of wolf populations across Europe.