CABS Annual Report 2019
16.12.2019
In 2019, CABS operations, campaigns and actions once again saved countless migratory birds from being either shot, trapped, caged or killed. Our campaigns focused on the hotspots of bird poaching in the Mediterranean region, with CABS teams active in Italy, Malta, France, Spain, Cyprus and Lebanon during this years migration periods.
In our Annual Report 2019, provides a detailed breakdown on the results of our missions.
New CABS Lebanon video released
01.12.2019
CABS operation in Lebanon: At the end of September, a CABS team stopped a migratory bird massacre in Hammana, east of Beirut.
Not far from the site, a group of hunters had took position in the pine forests and shot at protected songbirds, bee-eaters and sparrowhawks during their migration south. CABS staff called the police and recorded the incident. The officers quickly attended the scene and were able to arrest three hunters - another man fled, but was also caught after a short chase.
Cyprus: Autumn bird protection camp complete
29.11.2019
Our autumn bird protection camp in Cyprus is now complete. Over the course of 85 days since the end of August, we have found and dismantled 1,969 limesticks and 87 nets, and 770 birds were released unharmed. The Police and Game Fund Wardens have convicted 27 poachers as a direct result of our field investigations. The numbers are remarkable: it was the longest operation CABS has ever made, yet the number of limesticks seized is at a historical low and the number of perpetrators is unusually high.
More information about our bird protection camps in Cyprus can be found here ...
Northern Italy: 55 poachers arrested
03.11.2019
Our 35th autumn bird protection camp in Brescia in northern Italy is now complete. Over the course of five weeks, more than CABS 50 members have searched the mountains for bird traps and nets and supported the authorities in their work against poaching. In total, 55 poachers were convicted as a direct result of our field investigations. 234 bow traps, 283 snap traps, 5 small clap nets, one cage trap and 97 trap nets were seized, as well as more than 2,400 dead songbirds and around 330 live decoy birds.
More information about Brescia - a bird poaching hotspot - can be found here ...
Malta: 38 illegal finch trapping sites discovered
30.10.2019
In the last 10 days the Malta-based CABS teams have done a great job against the bird crime. Police have already attended 18 of the 38 illegal finch trapping sites that have been discovered by our teams. So far, 5 trappers were caught in-situ, 15 clap nets and around 50 live decoys have been seized. 13 poachers managed to escape, but they were filmed by us - the video material is probably sufficient to identify these perpetrators and bring them to court. A further 20 active trapping sites have also been reported to the authorities.
You can find more information about bird-trapping in Malta here ...
Success in the courts: No bird-trapping in Italy!
10.10.2019
Late yesterday afternoon, the administrative court in Milan overturned the planned bird-trapping derogation in Lombardy. The government there had allowed the capture of a total of 12,700 blackbirds, song thrushes, redwing, and fieldfare with nets. The birds are traditionally caught to be used as live decoys for hunting. Only a few days ago, the EU Commission issued an urgent warning to Italy not to allow the trapping to take place. Yesterday, the court finally rejected the law due to incompatibility with the EU Birds Directive.
Read here about our legal challenges and casework for better bird protection ...
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.
