| Opis: | Environmental crime remains an underrepresented topic in public discourse, despite being one of the fastest-growing forms of criminal activity, with serious consequences for the natural environment, biodiversity, and the long-term quality of human life. Even less attention is given to a specific form of environmental crime – illegal hunting, which is the central focus of this thesis. The thesis specifically examines criminal offenses related to illegal hunting and unlawful conduct involving endangered animal species, with an emphasis on protected species such as the brown bear, grey wolf, and Eurasian lynx. The research begins by clearly distinguishing between criminal offenses under Articles 342 and 344 of the Slovenian Criminal Code (»KZ-1-UPB2, 2012«), followed by a detailed analysis of different forms of illegal hunting, the underlying motivations, and the legal consequences. The core of the thesis is based on the analysis of official data provided by the police, the Supreme State Prosecutor’s Office, and the OSLIS system, covering the period from 2013 to 2023. Our findings show that, despite existing legal frameworks, illegal hunting is not decreasing; on the contrary, offenses against protected species have shown a slight increase in recent years. The analysis reveals key issues such as insufficient enforcement, low prosecution rates, and poor institutional coordination, all hindered by various systemic limitations. The thesis highlights the importance of involving local communities, strengthening enforcement bodies, increasing penalties for offenders, and utilizing forensic methods more effectively as key strategies to address the problem. While illegal hunting may never be completely eradicated, it can be significantly reduced through a comprehensive, cross-sectoral, and long-term approach that emphasizes prevention, cooperation, and accountability. |
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