Feral cat colonies become integral to Italian archaeological parks

Feral cat colonies have become an integral part of the visitor experience at several major archaeological parks in central and southern Italy. At Paestum and Velia, director Tiziana D'Angelo established a feline colony in 2023, with about ten cats known to staff, including Zeno and Hyele. D'Angelo described the initiative as part of a path where culture drives sustainability, biodiversity, and freedom. At the Colosseum, architect Barbara Nazzaro, technical manager, called the cats "small tutelary deities" of the monuments, noting that among Rome's five thousand registered colonies, the Colosseum park hosts a thriving one integrated with other animals such as pheasants, mallards, rabbits, porcupines, hedgehogs, foxes, green parakeets, and bees introduced for honey production (also at Pompeii). At Herculaneum, the cat colony was officially registered with the ASL of Naples. Francesco Sirano, former acting director of the park and recently appointed director of the MANN, stated that the official registration recognizes cats as part of the genius loci, making the visitor experience more authentic and memorable. The park has long welcomed leashed dogs and promotes harmonious coexistence between historical heritage and all fauna.