Every year, from the beginning of April until mid June, thousands of birds of prey coming from Africa and directed towards Europe for reproduction, pass on the Messina Strait.

The crossing of the Strait represents one of the most dangerous stops in their whole migratory journey, because they are systematically attended for in Calabria by thousands of poachers.

It is more than fifteen years that some environmental associations organize camps for surveillance and study on both sides of the Strait in close collaboration with the law enforcement officers.

The University Group for Fauna and Ornithology (G.U.F.O.) of the University of the Tuscia of Viterbo organizes every year, along with the Italian League for Bird Protection (LIPU - Lega Italiana Protezione Uccelli), the camp in Calabria and participates with 50 volunteers.

Gruppo Universitario Faunistico Ornitologico
(Universitary Group for Wildlife and Ornithology)
Viterbo