Fauna selvatica

In Thailand, a recent seizure of 48 lemurs and over 1,200 endemic Madagascar tortoises, in danger of extinction, has once again put the spotlight on the global reach of wildlife trafficking networks.The success of the operation was aided by information from a joint transnational investigation between Thai law enforcement and international anti-trafficking organizations working to dismantle networks in Asia, Africa and South America.Among the confiscated animals were ring-tailed lemurs, common brown lemurs, spider tortoises and radiated tortoises, all likely destined for the illegal animal trade in Asia.The story also shed light on limits of the institutions in containing the phenomenon.The government of Madagascar, for example, under the admission of the Madagascar Minister of the Environment herself, should guarantee greater enforcement of the law, fight systemic corruption and strengthen surveillance in the remote protected areas of the country. Authorities discovered the animals c...

Although the European Union is close to opening an infringement procedure against Italy regarding hunting, the Meloni government is continuing its crusade in favor of the hunting sector and against the protection of wildlife and the population.In particular, by inserting a series of amendments into a law decree that has nothing to do with hunting, the right-wing executive intends to:override the community ban which requires not using lead cartridges, remove power from administrative judges in the event of appeals on hunting plans and weaken the Higher Institute for Environmental Protection and Research in favor of the interests of hunters.For example, regarding the use of harmful lead ammunition, the possible criminal fine has been downgraded to an administrative sanction and the concept of “wetlands” has even been redefined.It will certainly not be a coincidence that the current agriculture minister responsible for hunting activities, Francesco Lollobrigida, is part of the...

Wild animal populations are disappearing at an alarming rate, a situation described as “catastrophic” by the WWF.THE'analyses, based on over 35,000 populations of more than 5,000 different species, shows a global decline of 73% over the last 50 years.This loss would be especially severe in Latin America and the Caribbean, where some regions have seen a 95% drop.THEThe Living Planet Index, edited by the WWF and the Zoological Society of London, and to which over 125 experts from all over the world contributed, tracks the trend of populations of vertebrates such as amphibians, birds, mammals, reptiles and fish.The data highlights that freshwater populations are the most affected, with an average drop of 85%.Terrestrial and marine populations also suffered significant declines, by 69% and 56% respectively. According to the report, the most endangered species include the eastern lowland gorilla, whose numbers in Kahuzi-Biega National Park (Democratic Republic of Congo) saw an e...