Willow warbler on a limestick (Cyprus). Conor Jameson RSPB copyright
The Rufford Maurice Laing Foundation provided a grant of £100,000 in 2007/08.
The Rufford Maurice Laing Foundation is supporting the RSPB’s work with its partners in Cyprus and Malta to tackle illegal bird trapping and killing. Each year, millions of migrating birds pass through these countries, en route between Europe and Africa. Until their project in Cyprus began in 2002, for example, each year an estimated 12 million birds were being illegally trapped there, caught in mist nets and on glue sticks. By setting up surveillance teams, and working with the authorities, the RSPB have been able to vastly reduce the level of this illegal killing. They have saved an estimated 35 million birds since our project began, with the Foundation’s vital support.
Their action in Malta began more recently, working with BirdLife Malta to tackle illegal shooting and trapping of migrant birds. Despite widespread international disapproval, Malta has developed a reputation over many decades for uncontrolled shooting and trapping activities. Since it joined the European Union, Malta has defied the EU Birds Directive by allowing spring hunting of turtle doves and quail. Many hunters kill other protected species. The scale of illegal hunting (shooting), particularly of birds of prey, remains a serious concern for conservationists and the public in Malta and beyond.
With The Rufford Maurice Laing Foundation’s support the RSPB has also been able to increase their publicity and education work in Cyprus and Malta. They continue to work to ensure that the laws protecting Europe’s wild birds are not compromised by lack of enforcement in these and other countries where illegal hunting might otherwise go unchallenged.
Visit the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds website.