Urgent actions to prevent and contrast poaching of three focal species in critical danger of extinction in Italy: European eel, Egyptian vulture and Apennine brown bear

forthcoming

Wildlife crime is a growing concern in Europe, representing the fourth largest criminal activity in the world. Wildlife crime is currently one of the factors that most affects the conservation of a large number of species, many of which have an unfavorable conservation status. The LIFE FIGHT4WILDLIFE project will significantly contribute to reducing the threat posed by poaching for 3 target species at high risk of extinction in the wild: European eel (Anguilla anguilla) – Critically endangered in IUCN Red List. Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) - considered a priority by the Committee for adaptation to technical and scientific progress. Apennine brown bear (*Ursus arctos marsicanus) - priority species under the HD. The three species were selected on the basis of the following criteria: i) they are at high risk of extinction, ii) poaching represents one of the main threats to their survival and iii) methodologies, techniques and skills developed to contribute to improving the state of conservation of the three different classes of vertebrates (mammals, birds and fish) can easily be extended to other animal species that share their status and threats. The LIFE FIGHT4WILDLIFE project will play a strategic role, as it will contribute to significantly increasing the potential for identifying, preventing and prosecuting crimes against wildlife through the use of innovative analyses and instruments, a widespread training, surveillance and specialization activities, the development of cutting-edge investigative and intelligence techniques for the rapid identification of trafficking linked to poaching cases in a total area of 763.532,27 ha, significant awareness-raising and activation of social participation for the prevention and fight against such crimes at international level. The project, with the planned replicability activities, will export the virtuous model to 5 other European Union countries heavily affected by the poaching phenomenon.