The article is devoted to the issue of protection against invasive alien species, which pose one of the main threats to biodiversity and the functioning of ecosystems. The aim of this study was to analyze criminal and administrative legal instruments used to protect the environment against invasive alien species (IGO), with particular emphasis on the example of the raccoon. In connection with the above, a research question was formulated: are the criminal and administrative legal instruments in force in Poland effective enough to counteract the threats resulting from the presence of IGO, and in particular the raccoon. The following hypothesis was adopted: the criminal and administrative legal instruments are in principle sufficient for protection against IGO, but the actions of public administration bodies responsible for the implementation of tasks related to this protection should be considered not fully effective. The authors relied primarily on the dogmatic and legal method consisting in the analysis of the provisions of EU law (Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council (EU) No. 1143/2014) and national law (the Act of August 11, 2021 on alien species and implementing regulations regarding lists of invasive species) and made a critical analysis of the literature on the subject. They also analyzed empirical data based on reports from public institutions (including data from the Supreme Audit Office). The article presents numerous scientific conclusions and recommendations for change. The research hypothesis formulated at the outset of the study was confirmed and took the form of an unequivocal conclusion. The authors concluded that the primary focus of public administration efforts should include continuous monitoring of the IGO population, periodic updates to the lists of species that pose a threat to Poland and the EU, as well as their decisive elimination from native ecosystems (including lethal measures).