Banning the capture of goldfinches, a whole job: up to 1,000 euros per bird

A few days ago, the Civil Guard announced publicly that it was investigating an unidentified suspect who was caught ‘red-handed’ while being apprehended on a farm in Caravaca de la Cruz (Murcia Region). goldfinches. Professionals Nature Conservation Service (Seprona) They then released two specimens that the individual had already kept in the cage. In addition, the League also confiscated ‘catch equipment’: 50 plastic branches dipped in a sticky substance, a bottle of glue, two cages and a squeaky bait to hunt birds. similar to that of birds.

In July 2022, the Armed Institute initiated the case. crimes against wildlife To the poacher who was caught catching a goldfinch in Lorca. La Benemérita surprised him with this behavior because he had set up surveillance after finding a double-layered, remote-controlled net to catch the birds.

During a search of a drug shelter in Mazarrón, also in the Murcia Region last summer, Civil Guard investigators found cocaine as well as handcrafted weapons, a cane rapier and more than 2,500 Euros in cash. 21 goldfinches in cages.

The hunting of goldfinches is prohibited throughout Spain

Seprona researched one person who has hunted these birds so far this year; Three more in 2022. Banning goldfinches has become full businessBecause there are those who pay up to a thousand euros to have one of these birds at home. This is a completely illegal practice that has spread across the country.

Seprona agent with the example of the goldfinch GC


It should be noted that the goldfinch is a non-hunting species. Hunting is prohibited not only in the Region, but throughout Spain.except in very exceptional cases, provided that it is for scientific purposes and has all permissions from the competent public administration.

Wildlife has been suspended for four years (before the covid outbreak) due to obligations imposed by the European Union through the BIRDS directive (arrangements for the long-term protection of all wild bird species in the EU).

Until then, some communities did allow hunting of these specimens, but in very specific cases: to individuals who belong to singing goldfinch associations or to legally operating captive breeders. what happened some took advantage of this loophole to do business: they sold the precious birds at Red de Redes. Those who chose not to leave a digital footprint (or were not very Internet savvy) did so in rural areas using word-of-mouth of their lives.

Up to 1,000 Euros per copy

“In some cases they are sold for 10 or 20 euros, but 500 or a thousand euros paid for a copy» Highlight Seprona resources.

Article 24 of the Animal Welfare Law, which was recently approved It also prohibits “the possession, breeding and trade of wild-caught finches”, referring to goldfinches, greenbirds and greenbirds.But the business of his capture and then sale continues to be carried out. It is a very valuable example since it is thought that the song of the European goldfinch is sung (Carduelis) is one of the most beautiful in the bird world. Goldfinch singing competitions are held every year in Spain.

Cages for goldfinches illegally caught in the Region of Murcia GC


The work of specialized agents of the Civil Guard is tightening the siege of poachers, and offers for the sale of goldfinches on the Internet are becoming less and less. do this with great precautions or on internet forums they appreciate where they should use the keys.

Larger “goldbirds” appear on Internet advertising portals for sale at prices between 250 and thousand euros. Its sale is allowed for now because Not a native species of Spain, but a subspecies from Northern Europe. “It’s hard to penalize them as they weren’t designed here under the Citex deal.”

If they have numbered rings on their claws, it means their origin is halal; open in advancebecause in most cases they were brought into our country “undeclared in car trunks”. “In these situations, breeders are a thousand steps ahead,” warn the Civil Guards.

For every 15-20 goldfinches that die, one goldfinch is born alive.

In order to obtain a viable specimen to breed in captivity (usually with a canary), as the Civil Guard explained, “there was too much mortality” because many of them were not well adapted to food (blended birdseed to offer a wide variety of foods that they have in nature) or confined to cages. with such a simple fact. To get a healthy goldfinch in captivity, 15 to 20 of them may die along the way.

Interfering meshes in a file image GC


Where hunting is permitted for scientific purposes (where the bird is nesting and is then released to study its habit or route), hunting is much less harmful as nets placed in trees surrounded by live-like traps are used. animals of the same species or a piece of food.

On the contrary, Poachers continue to use invasive methods of sylvesterism such as glue (can be bought at any hardware store) twigs, especially esparto grass. Or hooking the previously caught chicks and leaving them fixed in the cage.

“There are people called Palilleros, who catch them at a minimum age and feed themselves with porridge, which is given to them with toothpicks, hence their name. Saying that this is a very complex application, Seprona experts add that the death rate “remains very high” in this case.

According to a recent SEO Birdlife report, The goldfinch is the bird that most frequently enters Fauna Rescue Centers (CRF). The state of Spain in the last two decades depends precisely on silvestrismo.

A pair of blue hyacinths for 35,000 euros

With regard to sylvesterism, in the article of the current Penal Code on offenses related to the protection of flora and fauna, Imprisonment from 6 months to 2 years or judicial fine from 8 years to 24 months and in any case disqualification of the exercise of the right to hunt or fish for a period of one to three years.

But goldfinches are not the most lucrative bird related business: the tastiest is still parrots. This is not new. Exotic bird smuggling has been the third most lucrative business in the world for several years, and macaws are the most coveted object of desire: for some time these pets have been stolen by State Security Forces and Units to put them on the black market.

As they say from Seprona, “A pair of blue hyacinths costs about 35,000 euros”that is, this species is the “jewel in the crown” in this field.

blue hyacinth specimens agencies


This money is not average price A parrot oscillating “from 500 to a thousand euros”.

The illicit trade of animals (and plants) amounts to up to $23,000 million per year worldwide. The economic dimension of this scourge is similar to the trafficking of drugs, weapons or people.According to experts who attended the World Conservation Congress a few years ago.

As with drug or weapons smugglers, traders of exotic animals are often perfectly organized both to steal specimens and to sell them on the illicit market.

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Contact address of the environment department: crizclimatica@prensaiberica.es

Source: Informacion

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