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Lebanon - recent video from the running bird protection camp
CABS publish video showing mass slaughter of migratory birds of prey in the Akkar district - a stone's throw away from the Syrian border. CABS staff, together with colleagues from Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon and Middle East Sustainable Hunting Center, led the Lebanese Internal Security Forces (ISF) to catch and convict three poachers red-handed. The men had shot and butchered dozens of migratory birds of prey currently passing through; around them lay the remains of Honey Buzzards, Levant Sparrow hawks, Kestrels and Lesser Spotted Eagles.
Our powerful video shows the arrest of the men as well as the recovery of the dead birds as evidence.
Limestick bird trappers caught in Lebanon
30.09.2022
Near the town of Hermel – Ras Baalbek in northern Lebanon, together with our partners from SPNL and MESHC our team identified three men illegally trapping sparrows with limesticks next to the main highway. On the barren desert plateau, the men had constructed a lush looking bush ‘island’ and surrounded it with loud electronic decoy callers to lure and trap passing flocks of sparrows – which are caught and killed to be traded and eaten as a delicacy. 227 freshly killed birds were discovered at the slaughter site and around 50 birds were saved and set free.
See our recent video about the case here
Cyprus: Again poaching incidents at Lake Soros
27.09.2022
CABS and BirdLife Cyprus call for a ban on hunting at the site near lake Soros in Meneou, known as ‘bee-eater cemetery’.
The site continues to be a blackspot for illegal killings and the list of protected species found shot grows longer by the day: in only two weeks the volunteers found bodies and remaining of numerous bee-eaters, a hobby, a crested lark and a golden oriole. Also the remaining of a European roller as well as an injured one were found at the site. The area was reported may times to the authorities and given the evidence of these weeks, once again we urge for a complete ban on hunting.
See our recent press relaese - issued together with our partners from BildLife Cyprus here ...
Blow against bird of prey poaching in Lebanon
23.09.2022
Bird of prey graveyard discovered in Lebanon and three poachers caught: In the Akkar district in the north of Lebanon, we managed to strike a blow against raptor poaching. In an area known as a notorious poaching hotspot near the village of Memnaa, a hunting party was observed shooting birds of prey. The police, who were called immediately, were quickly on the scene and caught three of the perpetrators in the act. The remains of more than 40 protected birds were found with them.
You can see a recent video on our YouTube channel here.
Our Press Release is also available for you here.
And a recent publication about the extent of poaching in Lebanon can be found here.
Malta: 136 protected birds confiscated!
22.09.2022
Our CABS team on Malta has found a huge trapping site for waders not far from the town of Għaxaq. The evidence was handed over to the Maltese Environmental Police (EPU), who searched the site together with officials from the Nature Conservation Authority (WBRU). Not only were two large clap-nets found on 20.9.2022, but 136 illegally kept protected birds - ranging from Wood Sandpipers and Stilts to Linnets, Greenfinches and Serins!
Most of the birds could be released into the wild on the same day in the Għadira nature reserve.
Read our Press Release here.
Autumn bird protection camps begin this weekend!
09.09.2022
Our first major autumn bird protection camps in the Mediterranean start this weekend with staff and dozens of volunteers coming together from all corners of Europe and the Middle East to safeguard the flyways for migratory birds and clampdown on illegal poaching. We start with our anti-poaching operations in Malta, where we will monitor the roosting sites and migration routes of birds of prey and storks until the end of the month. At the same time, another CABS team will be active in Cyprus, where we will work to tackle illegal bird trapping with limestick and nets until November. In mid-September, the one month bird protection camp in Lebanon will begin, and from the end of the month we will also be working in northern Italy ans Spain against songbird trapping.
As always, regular information on the campaigns and operations can be found on our social media channels - Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Success against bird trapping in Italy
05.09.2022
At the Committee's bird protection camp in Brescia in northern Italy, seven poachers were convicted and hundreds of illegal bird traps were seized. CABS members found the traps during their field investigations and reported them to the police. The officers were able to catch all seven perpetrators in the act. A total of 230 snap traps, 5 large nets, 8 clap nets, 1 cage trap, 4 hunting weapons and 270 frozen and plucked songbirds were seized. 22 live decoy birds were also released. CABS have been conducting operations against late summer flycatching in the region for 10 years - this year more traps were found than ever before!
Found out more about our bird protection camps in Brescia here.
Police in Malta confiscate rare waders
24.08.2022
The Maltese police are investigating several cases of illegal wader trapping reported by our teams. Seven protected waders used as live decoys for large collapsible nets in the south of the island have been seized. The birds - Wood Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Sickle Sandpiper, Dunlin and Little Ringed Plover - have been released into the wild. A few weeks ago, committee staff also reported two people who had trapped stilt sandpipers in a field south of Mgarr.
Read more about wader trapping in Malta here.
Successful season for our Black Terns!
10.08.2022
It’s not just anti-poaching operations and bird protection camps at CABS! Within the framework of Black Tern Project on the Old Elbe near Jerichow (Saxony-Anhalt) and on Lake Pritzerber (Brandenburg), almost 30 pairs raised a total of 27 young birds this year. Last year, only 16 young birds fledged the nests. Unfortunately, again this season, some broods failed due to fluctuating water levels and predation. In the last thirty years their population in Germany has decreased by more than 50%. With around 1200 breeding pairs left throughout the whole country. In order to help conserve the species, around 90 small nesting rafts are installed each year on the lakes and shorelines by CABS volunteers!
You can find more information about CABS Black Tern Project here.
Huge bird trapping site shut down near Valencia
09.08.2022
On Sunday, staff of the Committee led Spanish nature conservation officials (SEPRONA) to a huge bird trapping facility near Valencia. During the inspection, not only was an active ground net discovered, but also two enormous aviaries holding over 200 captive birds. The officials then cut holes in the side walls so that all the birds could be released immediately. Among the birds were 120 goldfinches and 50 chickadees, as well as siskins, greenfinches, several chaffinches, thrushes, turtle doves and red-legged partridges. During the subsequent search of the premises, dozens of glue rods and large quantities of glue were found and confiscated.
Find out more about our work against illegal bird trapping with nets and limesticks in Spain here.
Your donation makes the difference!
Your donation will enable us to fund our campaigns and bird protection camps throughout Europe, to keep up the fight for migratory birds. CABS is almost exclusively financed with private donations, from nature and animal lovers, as well as foundations and nature conservation associations. In order to stay independent, we do not receive public funds and we refuse business sponsorships. CABS is recognised as non-profit, thus, donations are tax-deductible. For a donation of 25 € or more, you will receive a donation receipt at the beginning of the following year.
