Six environmental organisations, ANIMA, the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature, the Hellenic Ornithological Society, the Biodiversity Conservation Society of Thrace, Callisto and WWF Greece, have filed a legal complaint against unknown individuals over the use of poisoned bait in Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli Forest National Park, according to News247.
On March 11, 2026, one of the largest mass poisonings of wildlife recorded in Greece resulted in the deaths of nine cinereous vultures, four common buzzards, four ravens, one wolf, five foxes and two martens. Three more cinereous vultures were found alive with symptoms of poisoning.
The incident particularly affected the population of the endangered cinereous vulture, which is already struggling to recover following two devastating wildfires in the area.
There are 40 breeding pairs of cinereous vultures in Greece, but their population is not increasing further due to ongoing threats.
The problem is not new. Between 1995 and 2025, 33 poisoned cinereous vultures were found in Thrace.
A similar case in Bulgaria was solved within days, while in Greece, where authorities have similar training and expertise, no arrests have yet been made.
The organisations described the incident as an “extreme criminal act with elements of organised crime.” Authorities suspect livestock farmers concerned about wolves attacking their herds, as well as hunters who use poisoned bait to target foxes that prey on game, particularly hares.
Source: News247
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