Msoldiers belonging to the Carabinieri Forestale Stations of Roccamonfina and Caserta intervened, respectively, in the municipality of San Tammaro (CE) following a request for collaboration from the Italian Army of the “Terra dei Fuochi” contingent, and in the municipality of Maddaloni (CE) following a request for collaboration from volunteers belonging to the OIPA Association, in order to repress illegal situations connected to the capture and detention of protected animal species “goldfinches”.
In particular, in the municipality of San Tammaro, in the locality of “Maruzzella”, a person was caught while carrying out illegal activities of capturing goldfinches (Carduelis carduelis) with the aid of n. 3 specimens of live goldfinches used as decoys, placed in two cages, and a bird trapping net.
Meanwhile, in the municipality of Maddaloni, near the hospital, two people were stopped while transporting a cage containing five live goldfinches in the trunk of their car.
The two subjects were unable to justify the regular provenance of the said birds which, moreover, did not have the FOI (Italian Ornithology Federation) rings on their legs.
The goldfinch specimens and the equipment were seized by the court, while all three subjects were reported at large for capture and possession of protected species. The “goldfinch” is, in fact, included among the species protected by the Bern Convention on the conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats of 19.09.1979 (ratified in Italy with law no. 503/1981), and as such it is a protected species pursuant to art. 2 of law 57/1992.
All the goldfinch specimens seized were found to be vital and did not show any evident signs of mistreatment, and were therefore released into the wild, as provided for by art. 28 of law no. 157/1992.
The trade of goldfinch specimens is very flourishing because it is a species that is highly appreciated for its melodious song. Some of these specimens taken in nature are sent to international traffic as they are also highly sought after abroad. Even in the Neapolitan area there is a tradition linked to the possession of these birds among which there are admirers who are willing to pay even thousands of euros for the so-called "champion" specimens.
Gustavo kind
Article published on November 27, 2018 - 19:40
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