Protected species kill a shot, chicks stolen from their nests in trees to sell as live bait, and later became a criminal enterprise illegal trade in wildlife. Welcome to one worst hotspot from poaching on a European level, welcome to the traversing Pre-Alps region Lombardy and they end up in Venice. Where all this and more happens. For example, only a few days or two A very rare hermit ibis (we tell their incredible story here) they crossed the Alps, from Austria, to winter in our country. It’s a few kilometers and that’s it shot dead in Dubino, in the province Sondrio. They were equipped with GPS and we know everything about their tragic end. But what poaching both entered growth the data tells us this. Meanwhile, broaden your view, that is political – national and regional – at best it hides. And in fact it is provide incentives.
DOPING ON BIRD AND SHOOTING ON BIRD – ValpredinaWWF Oasis. We are located at Eat Abovein the province of Bergamo. This is one of the main ones Crass (Wild animal recovery center) in Northern Italy. The reason? It accepts animals injured and/or confiscated from poachers, cares for them and, if successful, releases them back into the wild. Matteo Mauriperson in charge, told Pirellone what happened this year. A a phenomenon that had never been seen beforeat least by this proportion. With hunting season still underway, protected animals are killed compared to 2024 they mark a +52%and to some extent it is surprising that 91% of certified deaths occurred in months when hunting was possible. In fact, in the last ten years, this regional law has existed modified 28 times with the aim of liberalizing hunting activities as much as possible and, in some cases, to make money control is more difficult. Some examples? Hunting ranger’s obligation to wear “high visibility clothing” or big amnesty on a live call.
In addition, thousands of birds are confiscated by the police because they are held illegally, and are often used as live bait. Every year it doesOperation Robin forestry carabinieri (anti-poaching operational section, SOARDA) to confirm it: in a few weeks in the province Brescia, Bergamo, Mantua, Padua, Venice, Verona and Vicenza they 135 people reportedindeed so 2,467 birds confiscated (living and dead) belonging to huntable, protected and specially protected species, 1,110 illegal hunting tools, 135 firearms13,330 ammunition and 73 packs of doping drugsused to “improve” singing performance on live calls. While these numbers are impressive, they only highlight the tip of the iceberg of a phenomenon that is difficult to measure.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND POLITICAL DAMAGE THAT NEEDS TO BE CONSIDERED – “Behind poaching is no longer just individuals, but real criminal organization who have understood that investing in this sector means doing gold business with very little risk,” he said at a press conference in Pirellone, Domenico Aielloresponsible for the legal protection of nature at WWF Italy and member of the MASE control room to combat crimes against wild birds. “Underestimating the seriousness of this phenomenon – which destroying biodiversityThat human health and the legal economy – rendering the tools of prevention and repression ineffective: local control, investigations, trials and sanctions. In this case, the role of politics is very important: politics must translate the sensitivity of public opinion and evidence of increasing crime, Don’t give in to pressure of those asking for reduced controls in favor of concessions hunting lobbybut shows a sense of responsibility in protecting common interests and the principles contained in Article 9 of the Constitution. Instead, many areas are gradually eliminating wildlife protections.”
At the national level it is evening billnamely the reforms desired by Lollobrigida to repeal the law on wildlife protection and hunting (157/92), is cause for concern. And he did that first and foremost because he didn’t foresee it no one can combat poaching. So, many center-right amendments do nothing more than that making the situation worse: from the hunting of protected species or those in poor conservation conditions, to the obligation of game wardens to monitor villages and forests only in the presence of law enforcement officers (which of course cannot be done), to the potential opening of hunting twelve months of the year. “Malan’s bill removes protection for wildlife and is a threat a dangerous and very serious interventionsaid the Deputy PD, Eleonora Evivery close to the world of environmentalists and animal rights. “And this has had no impact whatsoever in combating poaching, raising strong concerns in society.” Evi underlines how Lombard politics often anticipates what happens at the national level. An example? The case of the mountain pass, which exploded in Lombardy itself – blessing Lake – and “settled” by the law on the mountain Roberto Calderoli.
“The data confirms an increase in poaching” said the M5 council member, Paola Pollini. “We are faced with a rooted and organized phenomenawhich damages the ecosystem and damages the image of our country. However, instead of eradicating it, regional policies – supported by the government – are weakening environmental protection efforts and expanding the regulatory framework. Losses resulting from illegal hunting, in an environmental context, can no longer be borne by society and only prioritize the interests of a few people. We need an immediate change in direction: legislation, investment, and protection for those working to control the region. We need political will not to sacrifice environmental protection. Poaching has not decreased because it has not been adequately eradicated“. For Michela Palestra in the Civil Pact “the limits of impunity are always increasing, non-compliance with the law is of paramount importance. We can now say: there is a specific purpose in the desire to attack the environment and biodiversity and, in this particular case, what is defined by law as the unavailable heritage of the State”.
Video: WWF Italy manhunt monitoring in Lombardy
Email: a.marzocchi@ilfattoquotidiano.it
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