Illegal poaching traps found on East side of the Rock of Gibraltar
Illegal poaching traps have been found on the Rock of Gibraltar over the weekend.
In a press release issued on Saturday, the Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society (GONHS ) reported that they had found “clear evidence of illegal trapping of the Rock’s native wildlife”.
During the course of GONHS conservation work, on the east side, in the areas known as ‘the Talus’ situated above and just north of Catalan Bay, two traps were reported on Friday. One of the traps was retreived by GONHS on Saturday. This, they say, suggests that at least one trap had been recoverd by poachers active in the area overnight either late on Friday or in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The GONHS statement reminds the public that the “taking of wildlife is a criminal offence under the Nature Protection Act. The statement added:
“The area in question is an extremely important habitat which falls within a site that is protected at a European level.”
The trap, retrieved by GONHS on Saturday, is described as a ‘walk-in trap’. It is designed to catch both rabbits and barbary partridges, both of which are protected species. Moreover GONHS are alarmed by the fact that, this being the breeding season, the taking of either species will leave orphaned young doomed to predation or death by starvation.
GONHS condemn this form of illegal trapping by persons unknown. They say they will be reporting their discovery of these illegal traps to the Royal Gibraltar Police (RGP). They are also calling on members of the public to immediately report any person seen in the area by calling the Police directly on 72500.
Source: Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society (GONHS ) - Press Releases - 26 April 2008
Related Articles and Links:
GONHS - Gibraltar Biodiversity Project
21 April 2008 - GONHS state their position on Barbary Macaques culling controversy
18 April 2008 - Worldwide uproar over planned cull of Gibraltar’s Barbary Macaques
Read more Articles and News reports about GONHS (The Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society)
View GONHS images in our Gibraltar Picture Gallery Albums
Comment on this News report - Click on the ‘Comments’ link below - You can also Discuss this Story in our Forum