A coalition of six prominent environmental organizations has officially filed a formal complaint with the prosecutor in Alexandroupoli, Greece, demanding a comprehensive investigation into a catastrophic mass poisoning event that occurred in the Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli Forest National Park this past March. The filing marks a critical escalation in efforts to address illegal wildlife persecution in one of Europe’s most important biodiversity hotspots.
The legal action is spearheaded by ANIMA, the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature, the Hellenic Ornithological Society, the Thrace Biodiversity Protection Society, Callisto, and WWF Greece. These groups are calling for the immediate identification and prosecution of those responsible for deploying poisoned baits, an illegal practice that has resulted in a significant ecological disaster.
The incident, which is believed to have taken place on March 11, resulted in the confirmed deaths of 25 wild animals. Among the casualties were nine black vultures—a species already struggling against the brink of local extinction—along with 16 other animals, including kestrels, crows, foxes, weasels, and a wolf. Authorities and environmental experts describe this event as one of the largest and most severe instances of intentional wildlife poisoning recorded in recent Greek history.
For conservationists, the loss of these animals is particularly grievous given the fragility of the Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli National Park. The region has been significantly impacted by two catastrophic wildfires in recent years, which decimated vast swaths of forest and forced the remaining wildlife to struggle for survival in a fragmented habitat. The black vulture population, in particular, was already in a precarious state of recovery; the sudden loss of nine individuals represents a major setback to the species’ long-term survival in the region.
The use of poisoned baits is a recurring challenge for conservationists across the Balkans and the Mediterranean. Often utilized by individuals seeking to control populations of predators or perceived pests, the practice is indiscriminate, often killing scavengers and protected species that happen upon the toxic remains. Because these baits remain lethal in the environment for extended periods, they often trigger a “domino effect,” poisoning scavengers that consume the initial victims and causing systemic damage to the food chain.
In their complaint, the six organizations have emphasized the need for a thorough forensic investigation to identify the specific substances used and to hold the perpetrators accountable. By engaging the judicial system, the coalition aims to send a clear signal that wildlife crimes will no longer be met with impunity. The groups are also calling for enhanced surveillance and stricter enforcement within the National Park boundaries to prevent future occurrences.
As the legal proceedings begin, the case has reignited a broader national discussion regarding the protection of Greece’s natural heritage. Environmental experts are warning that without more robust intervention and a change in local agricultural and hunting practices, the biodiversity of the Dadia forest may face irreversible decline. For now, the focus remains on the prosecutor’s office, as the environmental community waits to see if this mass poisoning will finally lead to a substantive judicial response against the illegal use of toxic baits.
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