When Doves Die

Illegal killing has contributed to the population collapse of the once widespread European Turtle-dove © BirdLife Malta

February 3, 2023 10:16 am

BirdLife International, What we do

Each year, around 25 million birds are illegally killed across the Mediterranean – a region where many, such as the declining European Turtle-dove, are undertaking already perilous migrations. BirdLife is committed to helping countries halve this figure by 2030.

I’ve seen horrible photographs of mass bird killings,” sighs Lilla Barabas, BirdLife Europe and Central Asia’s Flyways Officer. She’s not alone. Thanks to social media, we have all probably gasped in horror at the grotesque truths evinced by such shocking images. A European Robin immobile in a spring trap, its leg broken. A Eurasian Blackcap dangling, its feet glued to a branch. A Common Quail wriggling in an illegally set mist net, destined to become dinner. A towering pile of almost 1,500 European Turtle-doves, their smiling killers giving the camera a thumbs-up. Every single image is an indictment against humanity, a repudiation of governmental promises of ‘zero tolerance’ of illegal killing. And, for BirdLife, a call to action.