The main purpose of the project is to start a propagation program to strengthen the populations that still exist and prevent extinction of the species. The rapidity of the declining trend makes it necessary to attempt artificial reproduction until it is possible to recover wild animals from the extant populations. The species is currently under IUCN revaluation and its listing under the highest risk category Critically Endangered (CR A2ac). Underestimation of the risk category and the inclusion of the species only in Annex V of the Habitats Directive prevented the implementation of adequate protection measures against real threats. The project also aims to complete the survey over the whole range, and particularly in the Balkans where a previously unknown population, genetically divergent from the Italian ones, was found in 2019. To increase the chances of success of ex-situ reproduction it is important to have the largest number of source populations with wide genetic variability. Furthermore, since the habitat conditions seem to provide greater chances of survival in the Balkan countries, the identification of other residual populations for re-introduction contributes to the success of species recovery.