The Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS) has said that its members have been on site since the beginning of October “to document violations during the current trapping season and have reported 22 bird trappers for violations until now.”

It noted that “during inspections of the affected trapping sites, 32 nets have been dismantled, and 377 live decoy birds have been freed by the police.”

CABS highlighted that despite “international protests and a clear warning from the European Commission, Malta is once again allowing finches to be trapped at almost 3,000 trapping sites across the Maltese Islands this autumn – allegedly for purely scientific purposes.”CABS stated that “that many of these birds end up on the black market or with collectors who fill their aviaries with protected species under the guise of supposed research.”

“The European Commission has therefore expressly warned the Government against renewing the permit, referring to last year’s ruling by the European Court of Justice – In vain,” said CABS.

CABS concluded by saying that the official trapping season lasts until the 20th of December. “Further actions are planned in the coming weeks, including operations against the night-time trapping of Golden plovers.”

Photos: Photos: CABS Grosbeak confiscated by the police as a live decoy bird; CABS observer team and seized clap-net

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