60 years of LIPU: the legacy of a Hoopoe

The story of bird conservation in Italy begins on an autumn day in 1965, when Giorgio Punzo founded LIPU.

His decision came at a crucial moment for Italy’s environment.  Following the Second World War, the country’s rural and urban landscapes were degrading rapidly, and wildlife was faced with growing pressure.

When the Italian government authorised spring shooting in 1965, a practice that would have cost the lives of thousands of migratory birds that were on their way back from Africa, Punzo knew it was time to act. Thanks to public mobilisation and LIPU’s early activism, the spring shooting was abolished just two years later, in 1967. This was the first of many victories to follow.

From bad luck to admiration: the Hoopoe as a symbol

The Eurasian Hoopoe (Upupa epops) was among the most persecuted species at the time. According to Italian folklore, it was believed to be a bird that brought bad luck. LIPU chose the Hoopoe as its symbol to turn superstition into admiration and celebrate the beauty of this misunderstood species. The Hoopoe became a symbol for LIPU’s mission to restore respect for nature.

Over the decades, LIPU has grown into one of Italy’s leading conservation organisations. They saved several emblematic species in the country, including the White Stork, Common Kestrel, Western Swamphen, White-headed Duck, and Eurasian Chaffinch. In the early 1970s, LIPU opened Italy’s first two raptor rescue centres, followed by the country’s first wildlife rescue centre in Rome in 1996, which continues to save over 5,000 animals each year.

LIPU’s work beyond birds

But LIPU’s influence has extended far beyond rescue work. The organisation played a central role in shaping key environmental legislation in Italy and contributed to the approval of Italy’s national framework law on protected areas, the Wildlife Protection Law, and the implementation of the EU Habitats Directive. LIPU joined the BirdLife network in 1994 as our official Italian Partner.

As their work expanded, LIPU began identifying and mapping the country’s most important sites for biodiversity, known as Important Bird Areas (IBAs). This work led to long-term conservation efforts that supported the expansion and strengthening of the Natura 2000 network. By 2007, many of these areas had gained formal recognition, strengthening protection against poaching, habitat loss, and environmental degradation.

LIPU on the international stage

Building on this foundation, LIPU entered a new phase of international collaboration. In 2016, the organisation launched a major initiative to combat the illegal killing of birds across the Mediterranean, bringing together partners and authorities to defend bird species on their migratory routes.

Three years later, they published Italy’s first comprehensive bird conservation guide, covering 250 species, reinforcing the scientific foundations of their mission. That same commitment to knowledge and collaboration also fuelled LIPU’s central role in the EU Nature Restoration Law campaign. The movement united over seven million people and 300 Italian organisations in the fight for an EU-wide legislation that helps restore and protect nature.

Carrying this energy forward, LIPU joined the LIFE NatConnect 2030 project in 2024, a project that aims to revitalise wetlands, protect alpine species, and ensures the future management of the Natura 2000 network.

Behind LIPU’s milestones lies the dedication of countless people. People who rescue and care for endangered wildlife, who monitor bird populations and manage habitats, and, at the same time, inspire communities through education and outreach.

“We want to guarantee the inviolability of wild birds, which, with their extraordinary beauty, brighten up the parks and gardens of human coexistence.” – Giorgio Punzo, LIPU’s founder

60 years on, LIPU’s mission remains as vital, and as inspiring, as ever.  It proves that dedication, science, and love for nature can bring lasting change. There is clearly more to an “ordinary” Hoopoe than meets the eye.

Photo: Shutterstock