By the 1970s, only about 100 wolves survived in ten isolated areas of the Apennine mountains.
But the advent of protection in 1976 changed everything, and Italy's wolves are now estimated to number about 400.
If they continue to thrive, researchers believe, the wolves could recolonise the Alps and extend their range into neighbouring countries.
Ettore Randi, of the Italian Institute of Wildlife Biology, is one of the authors of an article in Conservation Biology. He says wolves are recovering faster in Italy than anywhere else in Europe.
Yet they do face threats. Hunters and farmers shoot and poison up to 20% of the total population every year, targeting dispersing juveniles and small, newly-founded packs.