atlante di Patologia della fauna selvatica italiana - Fondazione ...

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editors’ PreFAce
in recent years it has become increasingly obvious that the protection and conservation of nature
are a growing imperative. such protection includes the environment, plants and animals living
in the wild and is aimed at making our planet a better place not only for the human species but
for all living organisms.
Although our country is going through a difficult period, we still cannot afford to ignore the need
to protect the environment. life is rapidly changing. Fewer people are choosing to live in high
mountain areas, urban settlements are expanding and the environment and traditional lifestyles
are under threat. new ways of thinking are required. Protecting the environment means the
protection of what exists and the seeking of better and more effective solutions for the future.
in this context, as far as animals living in the wild on italian territory are concerned, there
has been a proliferation of academic literature on the subject over the last few decades which
includes more in-depth studies on the classification of species, bio-geography, ecology, pathology
and management of the various species present. this type of research provides fundamental
information to better animal protection and to the guaranteeing of an environment which respects
optimum needs.
however, despite of the current academic and cultural climate, we still lack a reference work
which groups together the pathologies of animals living in the wild in italy. A work which can
provide practical information and act as a volume of immediate visual reference for anyone who
needs to understand and correctly classify the pathology situation.
the study and research on pathologies affecting animals in the wild is fundamental if we wish
to discover effective means of identifying, preventing, managing and containing the spread of
outbreaks of disease. in addition, we should bear in mind that, because animal pathologies may
cross over and infect humans, research in this area also has implications for human health issues.
the principal aim and motivation behind this atlas has therefore been to bring together
organisations and individuals interested in pathologies affecting animals in the wild. By
encouraging such collaboration and uniting in one work different sources of expertise and
knowledge, we hope to have provided a state-of-the-art update on the principal pathologies
affecting these animals living on italian territory.
We admit to being surprised at the number of colleagues dedicated to the study of pathologies
affecting animals living in the wild in italy; academics who show not only a scientific interest
in their subject but also a love for the animals themselves. however, perhaps this is because, at
the end of the day, all of us feel a profound attraction for the mystery of nature that lies within
every animal and it is this that drives us to pursue our fascinating work.
the editors
G.L. Alborali, E. Bollo
E. Ferroglio, F. Guarda