The Rural Agents have denounced a poacher for installing three Japanese nets in Segrià with the aim of capturing bee-eaters, a protected species of bird that feeds on insects. The individual was intercepted by members of the Cos d’Agents Rurals Special Group of Verins and Antifurtivisme just at the moment when he was installing the nets inside an agricultural settlement.
The police force recalls that the use of Japanese networks is totally prohibited as it is a massive and non-selective method. In the operation, a European goldfinch has been seized, which has been transferred to a Fauna Recovery Center in Vallcalent, as well as three Japanese nets and a 22-caliber weapon, not allowed to be used against animals.
The operation began last April 2023 when the existence of suspicious supports that could correspond to furtive activity was detected. The monitoring of the settlement culminated last weekend, when the agents intercepted a person placing three Japanese nets on the located supports.
Plumage of several dead protected species such as the hoopoe and house sparrow, as well as an African death sphinx butterfly, have been found in Japanese nets. In addition, a stuffed leg of Asio otus, classified as a protected species, was found inside the individual’s vehicle, as a key ring, which was also confiscated.
The Rural Agents, have drawn up the pertinent denunciation and confiscation minutes, which are presented through administrative channels and also the Criminal Court of Lleida, for an alleged crime against fauna.
