Claire Wilson
A CAMPAIGN to stop bird poisoning has been started in Spain – where more than 6,500 have been killed in only 10 years.
Now the beady eyes of almost 20 regions will be on our feathered friends with prevention, deterrence and surveillance being the order of the day.
Bird lovers will also swap information on possible suspects to try to bring more criminals to court to pay for their sickening slayings.
BirdLife in Spain has developed the draft action plan and protocol to end poison-baiting after it was revealed more than 6500 birds have been killed in this way.
Despite being prohibited by both national and regional law, poison-baiting is regularly used due to a lack of surveillance and investigation.
It is considered a massive and non-selective method for killing predators and one of the biggest threats to birdlife and biodiversity in Spain.
The plan´s objectives are to extend and improve available information, to work towards the prevention, deterrence and surveillance of the illegal use of poisoned bait, to boost prosecution efficiency and to control the sale of toxic substances likely to be used for the preparing of poisoned bait.
All 17 autonomous regions have committed to develop and/or review their action plans.
Can you tell us why this is done? Is it to stop sheep being carried off by these winged devils?
I remember back in the UK there was mountains of bull excreted in the defense of killing badgers, foxes, moles, and numerous other wildlife beasties – ALL of which was proven again and again to be untrue. thankfully most of the cruel practises have long gone. There’s still a few weasels inflicting their extreme views… (see what i did there)
Raptor poisoning is still prevalent in the UK too – generally by some gamekeepers – ostensibly to protect gamebirds from being predated. Shooting gamebirds is legal (conditions apply) But of course the raptors are merely pursuing natural instincts, and taking advantage of surpluses created by game-rearing and management systems. it is a common human trait (unfortunately) to want to kill any species that interferes with our sports, pleasures or money-making ventures. It still amazes me here to see men trapping small passerines (goldfinches etc) by using live caged birds down on Torrox Costa / El Morche.