A few days earlier, the Civil Guard publicly disclosed an active investigation into an unidentified suspect caught red handed on a farm in Caravaca de la Cruz, in the Murcia region. The scene involved goldfinches and the Professionals Nature Conservation Service, known as Seprona. Two birds already held by the suspect were freed from a cage, and authorities seized a bundle of equipment used for trapping birds: fifty plastic branches coated with a sticky substance, a bottle of glue, two cages, and a squeaky lure designed to attract birds. These items resembled typical bird-catching gear.
In July 2022, the Armed Institute opened a case of wildlife crimes against a poacher in Lorca who was caught capturing a goldfinch. The Benemrita reported finding a double-layered, remotely controlled net used to trap the birds, prompting the suspension of the operation.
During a search at a drug shelter in Mazarrón, also in the Murcia region, investigators uncovered cocaine, handcrafted weapons, a cane rapier, and more than 2,500 euros in cash, alongside 21 goldfinches kept in cages.
The hunting of goldfinches is prohibited throughout Spain
Seprona has targeted individuals who hunted these birds in 2023 and marked a rise in incidents in 2022. The hunting of goldfinches has grown into a significant illicit market, with some buyers willing to pay up to a thousand euros for a single bird. This practice remains illegal across the country.
The image of a Seprona agent next to a captured goldfinch illustrates ongoing enforcement efforts in the Region of Murcia. Such cases underscore the seriousness of wildlife crimes and reflect the broader crackdown on illegal hunting.
It should be noted that the goldfinch is a non-hunting species. Hunting is forbidden not only in the region but across Spain, with rare exceptions for scientific purposes and only when all required permissions from the competent public administration are in place.
Wildlife protection measures have been in place for four years, a direct response to obligations set by the European Union under the Birds Directive, which aims to ensure long-term preservation of wild bird species in the EU. Some communities previously allowed limited hunting in specific contexts, such as for singing goldfinch associations or legally operating captive breeders. Yet some exploited these loopholes for commercial gain, trading the birds online or through discreet, word-of-mouth networks in rural areas.
Up to 1,000 Euros per copy
In certain instances, goldfinches are advertised for 10 to 20 euros, while others command five hundred to one thousand euros per bird—according to Seprona’s resources. Article 24 of the Animal Welfare Law, recently approved, also prohibits possession, breeding, and trade of wild-caught finches, including goldfinches and related species. Despite such measures, the trade persists, underscoring the high value placed on songbirds due to their beauty and cultural importance in Spain, where goldfinch singing competitions are held annually.
Images show cages holding goldfinches illegally captured in the Murcia region, highlighting ongoing illegal activity and the need for vigilant enforcement. The Civil Guard reports that the use of online platforms for selling birds has diminished, as officers intensify monitoring and public awareness campaigns. Yet larger advertisements for goldfinches still appear on internet portals, with prices ranging from a few hundred to several thousand euros. The sale remains allowed only because the goldfinch is not native to Spain, being a subspecies from Northern Europe; authorities caution that penalties are difficult to apply when the birds are not of domestic origin.
If birds bear numbered rings on their legs, this can indicate origin; many birds arrive here undeclared in trunks or other covert methods, a sign that breeders stay ahead of enforcement efforts. The Civil Guards warn that this field is regularly exploited by smugglers who use sophisticated schemes to bring birds into the country and then sell them on illicit markets.
A pair of blue hyacinths for 35,000 euros
In the realm of wildlife crimes, the Penal Code defines offenses related to flora and fauna with penalties ranging from six months to two years of imprisonment or fines, plus potential disqualification from hunting or fishing for one to three years. Goldfinches are not the most lucrative birds in the illegal trade; parrots hold top status. Exotic bird smuggling remains a major illicit market, and macaws are among the most coveted creatures. Authorities note that the blue hyacinth parrot can fetch about 35,000 euros, while common parrots may range from several hundred to a thousand euros on the black market.
Experts describe the global scale of illicit wildlife trade as a multibillion-dollar enterprise, with the financial dimension sometimes paralleling drug, weapon, or human trafficking crimes. Like other criminals, wildlife traders often operate with a well-organized network to steal specimens and move them to illicit markets. The shadowy world of illegal wildlife trade continues to challenge enforcement agencies and conservation groups alike.
End notes emphasize that the illegal wildlife economy is a real problem with widespread social and environmental impacts. The ongoing efforts of enforcement agencies aim to dismantle trafficking networks and reduce demand through education, outreach, and stricter penalties.
The overall message remains clear: the protection of wildlife is essential, and illegal trade damages ecosystems, undermines biodiversity, and fuels criminal activity. Authorities encourage continued vigilance and public cooperation in reporting suspected cases to ensure that protected species like the goldfinch can thrive in their natural habitats.