Werewolf genocide

The werewolf genocide is an attempt by the Volturi to wipe out the Children of the Moon.

The hunts started after Caius, one of the Volturi's leaders, was nearly killed by a werewolf. Caius became terrified of all werewolves, and convinced the rest of the Volturi to help him drive the werewolves into extinction.

Not much is known about the genocide, but by the time of Breaking Dawn, the Volturi have nearly succeeded in wiping the werewolves out, particularly in Europe and Asia.