Hunting season row: environmentalists take Italian regions to court

As Italy's hunting season approaches, several regions are preparing for an early opening, but a coalition of animal rights organisations is mounting fierce resistance, according to The Local Italy. The dispute centres on regional hunting calendars that would allow hunters to take to the field before the traditional start date, a move environmentalists argue threatens vulnerable species and disrupts ecosystems.

The legal challenge, brought by a group of animal rights organisations, targets multiple regions across the country. The courts are being asked to block the early openings on environmental grounds, with campaigners citing conservation concerns and the risk to protected bird species during their breeding and migration periods.