Early hunting season opens in 16 regions despite protests, WWF condemns move

Despite protests against the new hunting decree, the hunting season will open early in 16 Italian regions, including Marche. The WWF has called this decision "very serious." The WWF expressed concern over the inclusion of quail, a migratory species already under stress from poaching and habitat loss, in the early hunting period. It also criticized the weakening of ISPRA's scientific guidance by a national committee dominated by hunting representatives. A WWF petition against the early opening has surpassed 450,000 signatures. The organization stated that wildlife is a protected state asset and a common good, emphasizing the need to defend scientific knowledge and environmental legality for future generations.