Annual Report 2025

Dear CABS Friends and Supporters,

Even though it has aged somewhat, the name of our association, chosen back in 1975, still fully describes our mission today: protecting wild birds from shooting, trapping, and illegal persecution is and remains the main task of the Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS). This activity report serves as proof that we have successfully carried out this mandate once again in the 50th year of our existence. A special focus is placed on the protection of migratory birds. By maintaining a presence in their most vulnerable migration routes, we now regularly conduct our bird protection campaigns and anti-poaching operations in seven countries around the Mediterranean.

The extent to which persistence and patience pay off is shown by our record sheet in Malta: In the last 10 years, 217 bird trappers and hunters have been prosecuted there, following casefiles submitted by CABS. The penalties imposed include custodial sentences, fines, withdrawal of hunting licences, and the confiscation of weapons, traps, and other means used to commit wildlife offences. Furthermore, many thousands of live decoy birds - primarily finches and waders - were seized from the perpetrators and released. The fines totalled more than 300,000 euros! The fact that the "investigative pressure" we have built up is now working is demonstrated, among other things, by the sharply decreased number of protected raptors being shot around their roosting sites.

Good news also comes from Italy, where our staff were able to uncover more than 100 cases of poaching and illegal animal trade this year. Through our long-standing and proven collaboration with the authorities and our partner associations, 82 perpetrators were caught and brought to justice. During joint checks and raids, more than 890 live birds were also released back into the wild.

In the Eastern Mediterranean, where we are active in Cyprus, Lebanon, and, for the past three years, Greece, there is still much to be done: Lebanon remains our number one concern, where significantly more birds still die than we can save through our actions. Nevertheless, we are convinced that together with our partners, we are already making a big difference there too.

We owe it primarily to our committed sponsors, donors, and brave volunteers that we do not lose momentum in our work. We extend our sincere thanks to all of them.

Your CABS Team

January 2025

Successful Action Against Illegal Waterfowl Hunting in Italy: In the south of the Po Delta, CABS staff, together with the police, apprehended two poachers illegally hunting ducks. The perpetrators attempted to flee in a boat but were pursued and later detained with the help of a drone in the difficult terrain. Two prohibited electronic decoy systems and two firearms were seized.

In Ibbenbüren (North Rhine-Westphalia, NRW), the police rescued a Goshawk and a Common Buzzard from illegal captivity following a tip-off from CABS HQ. The two strictly protected birds had been illegally taken from the wild and offered for sale on the internet. With the help of the State Criminal Police Office (LKA), the seller's address was identified and searched. Both birds were seized and later released unharmed. Criminal proceedings for violating the Federal Nature Conservation Act were initiated against the seller.

Decline in Bird Trapping in Sardinia: This winter, we carried out two smaller operations against poaching on the Mediterranean island. Thanks to good cooperation with the police, three poachers were caught at their active trapping sites. 90 horsehair snares, five nets, and 10 large wire snares for catching wild boars and deer were seized. For comparison: In the same area 20 years ago, we regularly collected over 10,000 horsehair snares and dozens of nets.

February 2025

At the "Hunter & Dog" trade fair in Dortmund, travel agencies advertised hunting holidays for shooting threatened migratory birds abroad. The killing of species such as European Turtle Doves, Garganey, Atlantic Puffins, and Thrushes was offered. CABS publicised the offers and accused the organisers of hypocrisy. In an open letter to the mayor of Dortmund, we, together with the Jane Goodall Institute and the Pro Wildlife Association, demanded a ban on all trophy hunting offers at the fair.

Winter Bird Protection Camp in Cyprus: Poaching continues in Cyprus even after the migration season ends. Several CABS teams were deployed to investigate illegal hunting and trapping of overwintering migratory birds since mid-January. In joint operations with the police and local game wardens, 13 bird trappers and hunters were caught and reported. During the operations, the authorities confiscated three large mist nets, 117 limesticks, and 12 electronic decoy devices.

Repeat Offender in Court in Malta: In Valletta, the criminal court sentenced a bird trapper for trapping and possessing strictly protected species to a €5,000 fine and revoked his trapping license for life. The proceedings were triggered by a casefile from CABS whose wildlife crime officer had filmed the man trapping Sandpipers and Plovers on the Delimara peninsula last year and informed the police. During the subsequent check, officers confiscated a large clap-net and two live decoys.

Illegal Raptor Persecution in the Rhineland (NRW): CABS staff discovered an illegal cage trap for Goshawks near Kerpen (Rhein-Erft-Kreis, NRW). The trap was next to several mobile chicken coops and was seized by police. A live chicken that the trapper had used as bait in the trap during freezing temperatures was rescued from its plight. A local farmer and hunter was identified as the perpetrator. Criminal proceedings were initiated against him.

March 2025

In Malta, we took action against the illegal trapping of migratory birds for the black market. From early March to mid-April, a total of 33 trapping sites were discovered during checks and subsequently monitored with video cameras. Thanks to our tip-offs to the Environmental Police Unit (EPU), a total of 21 bird trappers were caught. Around 100 live Lesser Short-toed Larks, Tree Pipits, Serins, and Quails were seized and later released. Additionally, 42 clap-nets, dozens of electronic decoy systems, and other trapping equipment worth more than €10,000 were seized.

In the international journal of conservation "Oryx" published by Cambridge University Press, we published a detailed study on illegal bird hunting in Lebanon. The paper titled ‘Digital trophies: using social media to assess wildlife crime in Lebanon’ CABS staff assessed over 1,800 trophy photos posted online by hunters. They showed a total of around 29,000 birds (212 species), including numerous internationally threatened species such as Steppe Eagles, Red-footed Falcons, and Egyptian Vultures. Species such as Greater Spotted Eagles, Corncrakes, and Ortolan Buntings, are also affected.

Four Weeks of Operations in Lebanon: Within four weeks, our teams documented numerous cases of poaching in the north of the country. Around 50 freshly shot White Storks were recovered, including one ringed in Germany and one in the Czech Republic. In the mountains east of Tripoli, we discovered "plucking sites" with the remains of more than 200 freshly shot eagles, falcons, and sparrowhawks. Subsequently, nine poachers were successfully filmed directly shooting protected species. Five men were taken into custody by the security forces.

Illegal Trophy Trade: During months of investigation, CABS staff uncovered an extensive international trade in stuffed raptors by Ukrainian dealers. Two customers of the network were identified and reported in Germany. During a search of a suspect's house by officers from the NRW State Criminal Police Office (LKA), more than 40 strictly protected animals were seized. Criminal proceedings for violating the Federal Nature Conservation Act were initiated against the man.

April 2025

Violence Against Bird Conservationists: On the Greek island of Zakynthos, a CABS team was ambushed and brutally beaten by masked poachers. Three activists were taken to the hospital, where they were treated for a broken nose and multiple open wounds, among other injuries. The incident occurred on the Keri Peninsula, where we documented numerous cases of illegal migratory bird hunting and reported them to the authorities last year. The police later managed to identify four attackers, who face charges of assault.

Where Eagles Dare: In the Shouf Biosphere Reserve, Lebanon's largest protected area, our team released a rare Golden Eagle back into the wild at the beginning of the month. The majestic bird had previously been rescued from illegal captivity in Beirut. Investigations revealed that the animal originated in Iraq and was smuggled into the country illegally via Syria. After several months of care by our veterinarians, the eagle was released into freedom at an altitude of approximately 1,300 metres.

Decline in Bird Trapping: The illegal trapping of migratory birds in Cyprus continues to decrease in spring. During a weeks-long search, our teams were only able to locate two active trapping sites. During the subsequent surveillance, three men were filmed and arrested by the police. 56 limesticks, an electronic lure, and a large mist-net were confiscated. 12 years ago, we were still able to routinely find 3,000 limesticks and 44 mist-nets during the same period. A decrease of more than 90 percent!

Blow Against Bird Trapping in Lebanon: In operations near the coastal cities of Anfeh and Barja, as well as in the Bekaa Valley, our staff worked together with the Anti-Poaching Unit (APU) against the illegal trapping of songbirds. Together with the security forces, a total of 41 mist-nets and 269 limesticks were dismantled at 14 locations. 30 captured birds - including Subalpine Warblers, Ortolan Buntings, and Desert Finches - were released. Three trappers were identified and later fined.

May 2025

Spring Operations in Italy: On the islands of Ischia and Ponza, and in Lombardy, five people were caught by the authorities’ trapping birds or trading wild birds following reports by CABS. Furthermore, from April to mid-May, several teams from our partner Gruppo Adorno were deployed on the Strait of Messina to prevent illegal spring hunting. Overall, Carabinieri and game wardens were able to confiscate 21 nets, 130 bird traps, 60 rounds of ammunition, three electronic callers, and two hunting weapons based on our information. Around 300 live birds were seized and later released into the wild.

Summary of the Bird Protection Camp on Zakynthos: Despite the brutal attack on our team in April, the operation continued as planned until mid-May. Numerous cases of illegal hunting of protected Golden Orioles, European Bee-eaters, and other migratory birds were documented. With the help of video evidence compiled by CABS teams, 19 poachers were reported to the Greek authorities. Three other people were caught violating the hunting ban during joint operations with the police.

Spring Hunting in Malta: A total of 25 volunteers were deployed in Malta and Gozo from early April to early May. The focus was on monitoring large roosting sites, such as Buskett Gardens, where thousands of European Honey Buzzards, harriers, and other species stop every year. While things remained relatively quiet there due to our continuous presence, several cases of illegal hunting of Turtle Doves and birds of prey were filmed and reported in the south of the main island.

June 2025

Italy: The Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS) and the other major nature conservation associations protested against the right-wing populist government's plans to massively deregulate bird hunting and abolish protective regulations. Among other things, the use and trapping of hundreds of thousands of live decoys were to be permitted again, and the hunting ban in state forests was to be lifted. Thanks to numerous protests and interventions with members of parliament, as well as a very successful media campaign, the adoption of the planned relaxations was prevented for the time being.

Harrier Protection Project: This summer, CABS officers recorded 12 Marsh Harrier broods and four nests of the Montagu's Harrier, which is highly endangered nationwide, in the Zülpicher Börde (North Rhine-Westphalia). In cooperation with farmers and local nature conservation authorities, protection zones were set up around seven nests to shield the young birds from harvesting vehicles and disturbance. Thanks to these measures, 22 young birds fledged from the broods we supervised, including 13 Montagu's Harriers. The German Postcode Lottery funded this action this year.

Animal Cruelty on Cyprus: Our annual actions against so-called ground nets, carried out since 2016, continue to be effective. These are old fishing nets laid out to secure large properties against snakes, thereby becoming deadly traps for numerous protected reptiles, hedgehogs, and birds. Despite extensive searching, our activists only found 17 cases this summer - a decrease of more than 60% compared to previous years.

Halfway through the Anniversary Year: On the occasion of our 50th anniversary, the Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS) published a special edition of our German magazine "Artenschutzbrief" (Species Protection Letter), which extensively details the history of the association and our campaigns in numerous articles. A comprehensive association chronicle was also published, highlighting all successes achieved to date and substantiating them with extensive statistics from the individual areas of operation. An overview is available on the ‘about us’ section of our website.

July 2025

Global Birdfair 2025: The world's largest bird trade fair took place again in Rutland, England, from July 11 to 13, 2025. Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS) flew our flag with a stand among the approximately 250 exhibitors from the fields of bird conservation, art, media, photography, optics, and tourism. This year, special emphasis was placed on celebrating the accomplishments of our 50-year anniversary, as well as the success of our work against the illegal online trade in birds and trophies.

Creating More Awareness for Migratory Birds: CABS and our partners are launching a large-scale awareness and education initiative for greater bird protection in Lebanon. This includes conducting more than 50 seminars and lessons in schools and communities in areas particularly affected by poaching. The project is initially planned for two years but is intended to become a permanent part of our work in Lebanon if successful. The work is financed by donations from Germany and the USA.

Repeat Offender in Court: A hunter in Malta was sentenced to one year in prison and a fine of €1,000 for the illegal possession of 137 protected waterbirds. CABS staff reported the accused's trapping site to the authorities in 2022, who discovered the huge bird collection and an active clap-net during an inspection. The man is a poacher with multiple previous convictions, who had previously served a prison sentence for hunting protected swans, among other things.

August 2025

Fine for Deliberate Disturbance: A man from the Coesfeld district (NRW) was fined €2,500 Euros for attempting to drive away nesting Red Kites. The Münster District Court confirmed the corresponding fine notice in August. The case was originally reported by the Committee Against Bird Slaughter and NABU Coesfeld. The verdict is of particular importance because the affected Red Kite population represents an obstacle to the planning of a nearby proposed wind farm.

Flycatcher Trappers Caught: European Pied Flycatchers are among the first migratory birds to head south again after the breeding season. In Northern Italy, where tiny animals are considered a delicacy, they are targeted by trappers in late August. During investigations in the mountains around Lake Garda, our teams found a total of six trapping sites with 32 snap traps, two nets, and a large cage trap. In the subsequent police controls, three poachers were caught in the act.

Public Relations: Episode four of the new ZDF documentary series "Environmental Crime" at the end of the month focuses on the illegal smuggling of rare parrots into Europe. Besides capture and transport, the program also shows how illegally imported animals are declared as captive-bred with fake leg rings and sold for huge profits. CABS supported the research and provided an expert who explains the mechanisms of this multi-million euro business in the film. The film is available in the ZDF media library.

Controls in Italy: Shortly before the start of the hunting season, CABS officers, together with the authorities, inspected numerous dealers at two bird markets near Milan and Venice. A total of 33 birds with fake or manipulated leg rings were found and confiscated from six sellers. The wild-caught animals – including European Goldfinches, Skylarks, and Tree Pipits – were intended to be "re-labelled" as captive-bred using the rings. Criminal proceedings were initiated against the dealers.

September 2025

Raptor Persecution in Bavaria: Following a tip-off from the public, a CABS member discovered a prohibited raptor trap in the "Winzerer Letten" nature reserve (Deggendorf district). The trapping device – a so-called Goshawk trap cage – was placed in a small field hedgerow next to a pheasant pen and baited with a live decoy pigeon. Following a report by CABS, the police initiated criminal proceedings against the hunter responsible for the area. He faces a fine and the revocation of his hunting licence.

In Malta and Gozo, three CABS teams were deployed to combat the shooting and trapping of protected migratory birds. Focus areas included monitoring known roosting and protected areas and checking known trapping sites. In joint operations with the police, three bird trappers and one hunter were reported for the shooting of a Common Kestrel. Subsequent controls resulted in the confiscation of a total of five nets and two calling devices, and four European Golden Plovers were released.

Bird Protection Camp in Lebanon: Together with our partners from the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) and MESHC Anti-Poaching Unit, eight CABS members monitored the migratory bird hunting in the northern Lebanon Mountains. In the strongholds of illegal raptor hunting, our teams were able to film a total of nine hunters shooting Greater Spotted Eagles, European Honey Buzzards, and European Sparrowhawks. The men were caught in the act by the police we informed or were later identified using the video material we provided.

Successful Protest in Cyprus: The well-known British broadcasters and campaigners Chris Packham and Megan McCubbin joined us in denouncing the failure of the authorities to combat organised poaching gangs. This included live broadcasts of drone images showing masked men collecting birds from nets. After local and international media reported the incident, the police finally took action and confiscated 1,165 plucked warblers and 29 nets during raids. Fines totalling €62,000 were imposed on two main perpetrators and more than £50,000 was raised to support our campaigns going forward!

October 2025

Bird Protection Camp in Northern Italy: From early October to November, 41 participants took part in our bird protection camp in the province of Brescia searching for illegal bird traps and illegal hunting. With the help of our information and evidence, the police were able to catch a total of 49 poachers in the act during stakeouts in the field. A total of 333 bird traps, 86 nets, and 583 dead songbirds were confiscated at the trapping sites and during house searches. 423 freshly caught birds or those kept as decoys were released.

"Bird Trapping Farms" Shut Down in Lebanon: Our staff discovered the largest illegal netting facilities ever found by us in Lebanon. Under police protection, more than 110 nets with a total length of over three kilometres were dismantled at two locations, along with dozens of electronic callers including their power supply in the form of car batteries and solar panels. It is estimated that several thousand birds were caught daily at both facilities. Approximately 350 birds, including threatened Corncrakes and Bluethroats, were rescued alive from the nets.

Violation of the Birds Directive in Malta: Despite a clear warning from the EU Commission, Malta once again allowed the trapping of more than 50,000 finches this autumn – allegedly for purely scientific purposes. CABS teams were on site during the two-month trapping season and uncovered dozens of violations. A total of 25 men were reported for trapping protected species. Additionally, officers dismantled 37 nets and confiscated 377 live decoys.

Strike Against Bird Trappers in Cyprus: The participants of our autumn bird protection camp carried out excellent work on the Mediterranean island. Their research and reports led to the apprehension of a total of 49 poachers from mid-September to mid-November. The police and game wardens seized 1,527 limesticks, 113 mist-nets, and 79 electronic callers from the perpetrators. An astonishing 1,157 birds, including numerous warblers, Common Redstarts, and Nightingales, were freed alive from traps and nets.

November 2025

Operation in Spain: Together with local volunteers, CABS teams searched for illegal traps for migratory birds in Valencia and Andalusia. During this effort, 2,100 limesticks, 30 cage traps, 12 mist-nets, and other trapping accessories were dismantled at around 20 sites. Thanks to good cooperation with the police, 16 poachers were caught red-handed and will later have to answer in court. There was also a small operation in Andalusia, but no perpetrators were apprehended there.

Night Duty in Lebanon: CABS officers and security forces conducted joint patrols against illegal hunting in the northern Bekaa Valley. Every autumn, hundreds of thousands of thrushes are lured at night with spotlights and tree decoys and then shot. A total of nine men were arrested during checks of hunters and at roadblocks. Six hunting weapons, spotlights, projectors, and electronic callers were confiscated.

Illegal Bird Hunting in Piedmont, Italy: Our experts conducted checks on songbird hunters together with the Carabinieri. During two weekend operations, six poachers were caught; all came from neighbouring regions and had shot dozens of thrushes and a Great Spotted Woodpecker with the help of illegal electronic calling devices. The men are being investigated for violations of the hunting law and shooting a protected species.

Bird Trapping in Greece: On the island of Santorini, we documented the illegal trapping of finches and other songbirds for cage keeping for 10 days. More than 100 active trapping sites were discovered during our checks. The problem: Although trapping is legally prohibited, it has been largely tolerated by the authorities so far. Following discussions with the island administration and representatives of the hunting authority, five poachers were convicted and seven mist-nets, 92 glue sticks and 26 traps are confiscated. A drop in the ocean, but at least a start. Another operation is planned for 2026.

December 2025

Victory in Court: This autumn, the government of the northern Italian region of Lombardy, contrary to current law, permitted the hunting of Chaffinches, which are protected throughout Europe. From October 1st to November 30th, 97,600 finches were authorised for shooting. A coalition of Italian nature conservation associations, including the Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS), appealed to the Supreme Administrative Court in Rome – and won! The hunting release clearly violates EU law and was immediately withdrawn. We also filed lawsuits against hunting releases in Campania (Starlings, lost), Liguria (Starlings and Chaffinches, won), and Trentino (Chaffinches, lost).

In Germany, by the beginning of December 2025, we recorded 45 confirmed cases of illegal persecution of protected birds of prey. In about half of these cases, the Committee also acted as the complainant. Furthermore, as part of the EU-LIFE project "Wildlife Crime," CABS staff were regularly invited as speakers to official training courses, such as this year by the State Criminal Police Office of Thuringia or the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research Berlin.

Fieldwork in Germany: Extensive maintenance measures took place in January and December in the nature conservation areas acquired by the Committee near Schwentinental (Schleswig-Holstein). In addition to the professional pruning of numerous pollard willows, the bank vegetation was cut back at some bodies of water, and part of the fencing was renewed. This was supplemented by several information stands and nature tours. The work was organised by the members of our Schwentinental nature conservation group and carried out almost entirely on a voluntary basis.

Acknowledgements

Stiftung Pro Artenvielfalt (Bielefeld and Basel), Karl-Kaus-Stiftung für Tier und Natur (Bremen), the Police Environmental Protection Unit (EPU) in Malta, the Internal Security Forces (ISF) in Lebanon, the Carabinieri Forestale in Italy and their Anti-Poaching Unit SOARDA, the Guardia Civil in Spain (SEPRONA), the Anti-Poaching-Squad (APS) of the Police in Cyprus, the UN Peacekeepers in Cyprus and the Turkish Cypriot organization KUSKOR, the Taşkent Nature Park (Cyprus), the Military Police in the British military base Dhekelia (Cyprus), the Game Fund wardens (Cyprus), BirdLife Greece (HOS), Naxos Island Wildlife Protection (Greece), the Networking Office for Environmental Crime in the State Criminal Police Office of North Rhine-Westphalia (LKA NRW), the Secretariat of the Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Strasbourg), the Secretariat of the Bonn Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS, Bonn), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Cambridge University Press, the German Embassies in Beirut, Nicosia, and Valletta, the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN), the Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMU), Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux (LPO, Rochefort), Our partners in the EU LIFE Project “Wildlife Crime”, the "Bioparc" Zoo in Doué la Fontaine (France), Tierpark Görlitz, Domaine de la Bourbansais (France), Kolmårdens Wildlife Park (Sweden), the wardens of the Italian WWF, Lega Abolizione Caccia (LAC) in Milan, L’Ente Nazionale Protezione Animali (ENPA), Gruppo Tutela Rapaci (Sicily), Gruppo Adorno (Calabria), the Wildlife Rescue Centers “Il Pettirosso” in Modena and Valpredina in Bergamo, Lega Italiana Protezione Uccelli (LIPU), Birdlife Cyprus, the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL, Beirut), the Association for Bird Conservation in Lebanon (ABCL), The Middle Eastern Sustainable Hunting Center (MESHC, Beirut), the Ornithological Society for the Middle East (OSME), BirdLife Malta, the Malta Ranger Unit (MRU), BirdLife Austria, the LIFE Eurokite Project, the German Ornithologists’ Society (DO-G), the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW, Berlin), the Association of German Avifaunists (DDA), WWF Germany, the Faculty of Law at the University of Bremen, Landesbund für Vogelschutz (LBV), Pro Wildlife e.V., Naturschutzbund Deutschland (NABU) and its regional associations, district and local groups, Deutscher Tierschutzbund (German Animal Welfare Federation), Nordrhein-Westfälische Ornithologengesellschaft (NWO), the Institute for Avian Research – Heligoland Ornithological Station, The German Council for Bird Protection (DRV), the Peregrine Falcon Protection Working Group (AGW), the Berlin-Brandenburg Ornithologists' Working Group (ABBO), the Working Group for Biological Environmental Protection (ABU, Soest), the Bergische Greifvogelhilfe (Raptor Aid), the Paasmühle Bird Care Station, the Biological Stations in Düren, Euskirchen, and Bonn/Rhein-Erft, the Municipality of Schwentinental, the District of Euskirchen, the Rhein-Erft District, the boardcasters Chris Packham and Megan McCubbin and their team, Yorkshire Coast Nature (UK), the Global Birdfair, Protect the wild (UK), the Nature Conservation Group Schwentinental and, of course, all our members, sponsors, donors, and active participants.