Three tourists were injured in a suspected wolf attack at a holiday resort in Gallipoli, southern Italy, with footage of the incident capturing a man fighting off the animal after it attacked a mother and daughter. The attack, one of several recent wild animal incidents across Italy, has prompted authorities to step up monitoring and raised concerns about wolves losing their natural fear of humans in populated areas.

The attack took place on Thursday evening at a tourist facility in Punta Pizzo, injuring a 52-year-old woman, her 12-year-old daughter and a 47-year-old man staying at the same accommodation; all three were treated in hospital and later discharged. Although several reports have described the animal as a wolf, this has not been officially confirmed, and Italian news agency Ansa said an investigation is ongoing while the Forestry Carabinieri monitor the area. Italy is home to an estimated 3,300 wolves following decades of conservation efforts, but experts note the behaviour is unusual, as wolves do not typically view humans as prey. The incident follows other recent attacks in Puglia and Umbria, prompting several towns to close parks and green spaces overnight as task forces using drones, thermal cameras and snares search for the animals involved.